Skip to main content

Full text of "A philosophical and political history of the British settlements and trade in North America ..."

See other formats 


Google 



This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project 

to make the world's books discoverable online. 

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject 

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books 

are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover. 

Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the 

publisher to a library and finally to you. 

Usage guidelines 

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the 
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to 
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. 
We also ask that you: 

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for 
personal, non-commercial purposes. 

+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine 
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the 
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help. 

+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find 
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it. 

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just 
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other 
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of 
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner 
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe. 

About Google Book Search 

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers 
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web 

at |http: //books .google .com/I 



J'- '■4 



r 






2'h 



0. 



J 







ft 



■ '.J 



.ftm. 




f 



I 

I 



I. 



^ 



• . . t. 



?>K 



;•>/ 










PHILOSOPHICAL and POLITICAL 



HISTORY 



v 



OB THB 



* 



BRITISH 



SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE 



IN 









NORTH AMERICA. 




- jf 



v- 



I' 



I ■ 






H 

M 




Philosophical and Political 

HISTORY 

OF T H S 

BRITISH 
SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE 

NORTH AMERICA. 

■ 

from the French of Abbe RATNAL. 



IN T WO VOLUMES. 



V O L. L 



ABERDEEN: 
Printed and Sold bj J. B O Y L E» 




^f% 



CONTENTS 



• F T H K 



FIRST VOLUME- 



INrRODUCnON, Page i to a(> 

z. Firft expeditions of the Fngliflif in North America. v 
SU The continentofAmetfca is peopled by the religioniWAr* 

thftt diftnrh £Bgiaod^ .A 

5* Parallel between the old and the new worid. J% 

4. Cofspanfon between ciYiilized people and TaTagei^ a> 

5». lo what ftate the JBA9rifli.'foandKorUt Asierica, and 

what they have ifflia these^ ^ 

'.■-.' • 1 . 

B O O K f» * 

British Collomcs fettled at Hud ?;on's Bit, New- 
foundland, Nova Scotia, New Encland^^ 
-New York^ and New Jersey. 

Chap. L Of HUDSONVBAY^ a? to 42V 

X. Climate. Cuftomi of the inhabitants* Trad*e; %^ 

a. Whether there is a paflagc at Uudibo's Btyr leading to the: 1^ 
£aft Indies^ 3^ 

Chap. II. Of NEWFOUNDLAND^, 4* to jy 

z. Defcription,, ' 441 

A.. EUhcues^ ^ 

As 



57 



CONTENTS. 
Chap. in. Of NOVA JSCoflA, 57 to 6^ 

I, The French give up Nova Scotia to Britain, after having 
been a long time in poflefljuo o^it themfelves, 

A Manners of the French who remained fubje^ to the 

Britifh government in Nova Scotia, 6% 

3. PrcieDt Aateofi«^va Scotia../ 66 

Chap. IV. Of NEW ENGLAND, 6<j to 86 

I. Foundation, 69 

%. Fanaticifm occafions great calamities there, J% 

3. GoverMoient^ population, cultures, mznufadlures, trade 

and navigatioo^ 77 



Chap. V. Of. NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY, 

86 toptf 

t 

I. Vew York, fiHiiided hj tbt Dutch, pafles into the hands 
* of the EngiiOi, 86 

%, Flonrifliing ftate of New York, Caufes of its profperity. 8^ 
3« lo what meaner New Jerfey fell into the bands of the 

JKngbih. 11$ prefcat ftatc. 94 



BOOK n. 

British Colonies founded in PENSYLVANiii, 
Maryland, Vi&giniAj Carolina.^ Georgia^ 
and Florida. 

Chap. I Of PENSYLVANIA, 98 to 124 

I. The Quakers found Penfyivannia. Manners of that fe^t, 98 
^ Upon what princtpJer Pcnfyivanta was founded, 105 

3. Extent, climatCy and ioii» of Pcnryivanla. Its profpcn'ty xo(^ 



« 



■R 



V 



CONTENTS. 

Chap. IL Of VIRGINIA and MARYLAND, 

124 to 143 

I. Wretched Aate of Virginia at its firft fettlemeiit, 124 

a. Admioiftration of Virgioia, 128 

3. Maryland is detached from Virginia, 133 

4. Virginia and Maryland coltiTate the fame produ£Hons, 136 
J. Of the Tobacco- trade, 139 

Chap. HI. Of CAROLINA, 143 to 155 

I. Origin of Carolina, 14^ 

a. Sydem of religions and civi^ gorernoicnt cflablUhcd by 

Locke in Carolina, I44 

3.^ Climate and produce of Carolina, J4S 

Chap. IV. Of GEORGIA, 155 to \6z 

I. Foondation of Georgia, 155 

a. Impediments that haTe prerented the progreft of Georgia, is^ 

Chap. V. Of FLORIDA, 162 to 170 

I. Hidorf. Its ceffion from the Spaniards to the Britifh, i6% 
%, By what means Britm may render Florida nfcfai to her, 167 



CONTEMTiw 



N T E N 



O.F THE 



SECOND VOLUME. 



BOOK III. 



. . t I.. 



Of CanadAj ac^ired from the Fbinch. 






•Cbav. 1. General Jkce cyf the ooantrf . Climate. Govern- 

ipcBt, cnftooif,, fir.taef.i^Ki..vlfes:9f the ipdiaiii, Fage ly^ 

Chap. ll. Wart of the Indians. The coioiiifti embroil them- 

felves therein, ao^ 

' • *■ •• *■■■ 

Chap III. Of the Fan, 205 
Chap IV. In what places, and what manner, the fnr-trade 

was carried on, 219 

Ceiap V State of Canada at the peace of Utrecht, %%% 
CuAP V[ Population agriculture, manners, gofcrnment fifli- 

eries, induftry, and revenues of Canada, ~ %%^ 

Chap VII. Advantages which France might have derived 

from Canada Errors which deprived her of tliem. ^39 
Qaap VI 11. Orizin- of the wars between the i^ritifh and the 

French in Canada, 94^ 

Chap IX Conqueft of Cape- Breton by the BritiHi, . %/^% 

Chap X The t^ritifli attack Canada, ^^% 

QiiAP XI. Taking of Qncbec by the Britifh, aj9 
Chap XII Canada is ceded to Britain : What advantages (he 

might derive from that poflcflion, 'k^'^ 



CONTENTS. 



< - 



BOOK IV. 

General Reflections and Rbmi&iCs on all the 

CoXOMIilS. 

I. Extent of the Britifli dominions in North America, %(i(i 

II. Trees ^ecnibr to North America, 269 
'111. Birds peculiar to North America, 271 

fV. The £ngii(h fappiy North America with domeftic am- 

maU, 273 

V. European grain carfried into North America by the Eng- 

iifh, 274 

VI* The EngliOi find tha neee^ty of haT^i^ their naval (lores 

from North America, 275 

Vll. England begins to get iron from North Antierica, 279 

VIIL England endeavoors to procure wine and fill^ froin North 

America, 28 X 

IX. What kind of men Britain peoples her North-American 

colonies with, 284 

1L Prefent flate of population in the Iritifh' provinces of North 

America, 296^ 

XI. Happinefs of the inhabitants in the Britifh colonies of 

North America, 29S 

XII. What kind of government' is eftabltlhed in the Britifh 

^ ^ colonies of North "America, 3C0 

Xin. The coin current in the Britifh colonies of North Ame- 
rica, 309 
XIV. The Britifh colonies in North Ameiica arc (hackled in 

their induQry and commerce, %\1 

3fV. Of the Taxation of the Colonics, 316 

. Z* The mother country has attempted to eftablifh taxes in 
her colonies of North America : Whether (he had a 
right to do this, iU 



CONTENTS. 

2. Vrhetber the colonicf (bonld fabmit to be taxed $%^ 

3* How far the colonies ooght to carry their oppofition to 

taxation, 319 

4« Whether it would be of n£t to the oolo&iet to break tbro* 

the ties which unite them to the mother country, 33^ 

j; Whether it would be proper for the European nations to 

endeavour to render the Britiih colonics iodependant 

of the mother country, 333 



▲ PKILO- 



V J 



/L 



'A 



1 1 



1. 

a :. 



i) :^ 



.... .», ,^ ".•■' <''--» ' -^ " •' ' 



. . ' t >^. -jw •»•> 



r' 






t 



i 1.. 



. 'i: 



PHILOSOPHICAL and POLITICAL 

HISTORY 



OF THE 



BRITISH 



Sctdements and Trade in America. 



INTRODUCT-ION^ 

I. FIRST EXPEDITIONS OF THE ENGLISH IN 

NORTH-AMERICA. 

ENGLAND was only known in America bf her 
Piracies, which were often fuccefsful and al« 
ways brilliant^ when Sir Walter Raleigh con- 
ceived a prpjeA to make his nation partake of the 
prodigious riches which for near a century pad flow- 
ed from that hemifphere into ours. That great man, 
who was born for bold undertakings, cad his eye on 
the eaftern coaft of North- America. The talent he 
had for fubduing the mind by reprefenting all his 
propofals in a driking light, foon procured him af- 
fociates, both at court and amongd the merchants 
The company that was formed upon the allurements 
of his magnificent promifes, obtained of government^ 
in 1584, the abfolute difpofal of all the difcoveries 
that fhould be made i and without any further ea- 

VOL. I. B CQ(\X£^^« 



ft HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

•cotiragement, they fitted out two (hips in April fol- 
lowing, that anchored in Roanoak bay, which now 
xnakes a part of Carolina. Their commanders, wor- 
thy of the tnjft repofed in them, behaved with rc- 
Tnarkable affability in a country where they wanted to 
i^ttle their nation, and left the favages to make their 
own terms in the trade they propofed to open with 
them. 

Every thing that thefe fuccefsful navigators reported 
on their return to Europe, concerning the tempera* 
ture of the climate, the fertility of the foil, and the 
^dlfpofiiion of the inhabitants, encouraged the focicty 
to proceed. They accordingly fent ievcn fhips the 
following fpring, which landed a hundred and eight 
free men at Roanoak, for the purpofe of commencing 
il fettlemcnt. Part of them were murdered by the 
favages, whom they had infultcd ; and the refl:, 
having been fo improvident as to negleft the culture 
of the land, were perifhing with mifcry and hunger, 
when a deliverer came to their affiftance 

This was Sir Francis, Drake, fo famous among fca- 
men for being the next after Magellan who failed 
rourid the globe. The abilities he had (hewn in that 
;grand expedition induced queen Elizabeth to make 
xhoiee of him to humble Philip II. in that part of his 
domains which he made wfc of to difhu b the peace 
of other nations. Few orders were ever more punc- 
tually executed. The Englifti fleet feized upon 
fit Jago, Carthagena, St Domingo, and fevcral other 
important places ; and took a great many rich (hips. 
His inf^ruflions were, that, after thefe operations, be 
tfliould proceed and offer his affiQance to the colony 
-at Roasoak ITie wretched few, who had furvivcd 
^hc ■ onmberlcfs calamities that had befallen them, 
^crc m feich dcfpair, that they rcfufed all afEftancc, 
^^ only ,begged iie wchuld copvtj them to their 

aati«e 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. j 

native country. The admiral complied with their 
requeft ; and thiis the cxpences that had been dif- 
burfed till that time were loft. 

, The aflbciates, however, were not difcouraged b^ 
this unforefeen event. From time to time they fent 
over a few coloni(ls, who by the year 1589 amounted 
to a hundred and fifty perfons of both feaes, under 
a regular government, and fully provided with alt 
they wanted for their defence, and for the purpofet 
of agriculture and commerce. Thefe beginnings raid* 
ed fome expedlations, but they were loft in the diPt 
grace of Raleigh, who fell a vidim to the caprices of 
of his own wild imagination The colony, having 
loft its founder, was totally forgotten. 

It had been thus negle^ed for twelve years, when 
Gofnold, one of the iirft aflbciates, refolved to viiit 
it in i6o2« His experience in navigation made hin» 
fufpeft, that the right track had not been ftund out v 
and that, in fteering by the Canary and Caribbce 
iflands, the voyage had been made longer than it need 
have been by above a thoufand leagues. Thefe con* 
je£tures induced him to fteer away from thcfouth, 
and to turn more weftward. I'he attempt fucceeded ^ 
but when he reached the American coaft, he found 
himfelf further north than any who had gone beforcr 
The region where he landed, iince included in New* 
England, afforded hi^n plenty of beautiful fui'S, witta 
which he failed back to England, 

The fpced and fuccefs of this undertaking madff 
a ftrong imprefEon upon the Englifh merchants. 
Several joined in j6o6 to form a feitlement in the 
country that Gofnold had difcoveredw 1 heir example 
recalled to others the remembrance of Roanoak; aod- 
this gave rife to two charter companies. As the 
continent where they were to exercife their monopoly 
was then known in Eo^l'aod only by the general name' 



4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

of Virginia, the one was called the South Virginia, 
and the other the North Virginia Company. 

The firft zeal foon abated, and there appeared to 
be more jealoufy than emulation between the twp 
companies. Though they had been favoured with 
the firO: lottery that ever was drawn in England, their 
progrefs was fo flow, that in 1614 there were not 
above four hundred perfons in both fettle ments. 
That fort of competency which was fufiicient for the 
fimplicity of the manners of the times, was then fo 
general in England, that no one was tempted to go 
abroad by the profpeft of a fortune. It is a fcnfe of 
misfortune, (^ill more than the thirft of riches, that 
gives men a diflike to their native country. Nothing 
lefs than an extraordinary ferment could then have 
peopled even an excellent country, 'ihis was at 
length brought about by fuperflition, and excited by 
the colliiioa of religious opinions. 

a* Tie continent 0/ America is peopled by the religious 
^ v>ars that difiurk England. 

' The firft prtefts of theBritons were the Druids, fo fa- 
mous in the annals of Gaul. To throw a myfterious veil 
upon the ceremonies of a favage worihip, their rites 
were never performed but in dark recefies, and general- 
ly in gloomy groves, where fear creates fpcftres and 
apparitions. Only a few perfons were initiated into thefe 
xnyfteries, and inftrufted with the facred doctrines ; 
and even thefe were not allowed to commit any thing 
to writing upon this important fubjeA, left their fec- 
3*ets ihould fall into the hands of the profane vulgar. 
The altars of a formidable deity were ftained with the 
blood of human viAims, and enriched with the mofl: 
precious fpoils of war. Though the dread of the ven- 
geance of heaven was the only guard of thefe treafures, 

they 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ff 

Aej were always reverenced bf avarice, which thr 
Druids had artfully repreiled by the fuadamenul doc* 
trine of the endiefs tranfmigration of the foul. Tho? 
chief authority of government refided in the minlfters 
of that terrible religion ; becauie men* are more power«- 
fuUy and more liftingly fwayed by opinion thin by a« 
Dy other motive. The education of youth was in their* 
hands ^ and the afccndency they aflutned atchat perioiS 
remained through the reft of iife.^ They took cognix*^ 
ance of all civil and criminal caufes, and ^ere as al^« 
iblute in their deciiions on ftate affairs as on the pri-- 
vate difierences betweea man and man.^ Whoever darn- 
ed to refifl their decrees, was not only excluded frono^ 
all participation in the divine myftcries, but even from 
she fociety of men« It was accounted a crime and w^ 
reproach to hold any converfe or to have any dealings 
with faim ; he was irrevocably deprived of the protec-* 
lion of the larws, and nothing but death could put aa? 
end to his^ miferies. The hiftory of human fuperditi-^ 
ons affords no inilancc of any one fo tyrannical as thac 
ef the Druids. It was the only one that provok* 
cd the Romans to ufe fcverity, as none oppofed nhc 
power of thofe conq^uerors with fuch violence asthe^ 
Druids% / 

That religion, bowcvcrv had loft much of its influx- 
cncc, when it was totally banifhed by Christianity ia^ 
the feventh century. The northern nations, that hadi 
ibcceffively invaded the fouthcrn provinces of Europe^ 
had found there the feeds of that new religion, in xho: 
vuins of an- empire that was falling on all fidts. Whe<r 
ther it was owing to their indifil&rence for their diftanc; 
gods, or to their ignorance which was eafily periuad«- 
ed, they readily embraced a worfhip which from the^ 
multiplicity of its ceremonies could not but attraAthc^ 
aotice ofcudcaadfavagp^men*. The Saxons). wbaaftef'!^ 

S«3i waiKles 



rf . HISTORY OF THE BRITISH- 

wards invaded England, followed their example, and 
adopted without difficulty a religion that fecured their 
conqueft bj abolifhing their old forms of worfhip. 

The effects were fuch as might be expelled from a 
religion, the original fimplicity of which was at that 
time fo much disfigured. Idle contemplations were 
fqon fubftituted in lieu of aAive and focial virtues; ajrid 
a ftupid veneration for unknown faints, to the worfh^p 
of the Supreme Being. Miracles dazzled the eyes of 
men, and diverted them from attending to natural 
caufes. They were taught to believe that prayers and 
offerings would attone for the mofl* heinous crimes. 
Every fcntiment of reafon was perverted, and every 
principle of morality corrupted. 

Thofe who had been at lead the promoters of this 
confufion, knew how to avail themfelves of it. The 
priefis obtained that refpe£t which was denied to kings ; 
and their perfons became facred. The magiArate had 
no infpeftion over their eondu^V, and they even evad- 
ed the watchfulnefs of the civil law. Their tribunal 
eluded and even fupcrfeded all others. They found 
means to introduce religion imp every qucftion of law, 
and into all Aate adairs, and made themfelves umpires 
or judges in every caufe. When faith fpoke, every 
one liftened, in filent attention, to its mexpUcable or- 
acles. Such was the infatuation of thofe dark ages, 
that the fcandalous excefles of the clergy did not weak- 
en their authority. 

This was owing to hs being already founded on great 
riches. As foon as the pricfts had taught that reli- 
gion depended principully uponfacrifices, and lequir- 
cd firft of all that of fortune and earthly poftcflions, 
the nobility, who were fole proprietors of M tlVares, 
employed their ftaves to build churches, and allotted 
their lands to the endowment of thofe fotind^itioos* 
Kmgs gave to the chucck aU that they had extorted 

from 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 7 

^m tke people ; and ftripped themfelves to fuch a 
degree, as even ilot to leave a fufficiency for the pay* 
inent of the army« or for defrayHig the other charges 
of government. Thefe deficiencies were never made 
np by thofe who were the cauie of ihem. They bore 
no fhare in the maintenance of fociety. The payment 
of taxes with church money would have been a facri* 
lege, and a prof^itution of holy things to profane pur« 
pofes. Such was the declaration of the clergy, and the* 
laity believed them. The pofleffioo of the third part 
of the feudal tenures in the kingdom; the free will of- 
ferings of a deluded people, and the price fet upon 
the prieflly offices^ did not fatisfy the enormous avi-r 
dity of the clergy, ever attentive to their own intereft* 
They found in the Old Teflament, that by divine ap« 
pointment the priefts had an undoubted right to the 
tithes of the produce of the land. This claim was fo- 
readily admitted, that they extended it to the tithe of 
induftry, of the profits on trade, of the wages of la« 
bourersj of the pay of foldiers, and fometimes of the 
falaries of place- men. 

Rome, who at firft was a filent fpe^bator of thefe 
proceedings, and proudly enjoyed the fuccefs that at- 
tended the rich and haughty apo(lles of a Saviour 
born in obfcurity, and who died an ignominious death; 
foon coveted a (hare in the fpoils of England. The 
firft Hep fhe took was to open a trade for relics, which 
were always uihered in with fome (Iriking miracle^ 
and fold in proportion to the credulity of the pur- 
chafers. The great men, and even nrvonarchs, were 
invited to go in pilgrimage to the capital of the .world^. 
to puFchafe a place in heaven fuitable to the rank they 
held on c^rth. The popes by degrees affumed the 
prefentatton to church preferments, which at firft 
they gave away, but afterwards fold. By thefe means 
their tribunal look cognizance of all ecclefiaftical 



#. HISTORY OF THE BRITiaf 

caufes, tnd in time they claiased a tenth of the revev 
nues of the clergy, who themrfelves levied the tenth of 
all the fubftancc of the realm* 

When thefe pious extortions were carried as far as* 
they poffibly could be in England, Rome afpired to* 
the fupreme authority over it* The frauds of her 
ambition were covered with a (acred veil. She fap-^ 
ped the foundations of liberty, but h was by employ* 
ing the inffuence of opinion only. This was fetting 
up men in oppofition to themielveSy and availing her- 
ielf of their prejudices in order to acquire an abfolute 
dominion over them. She ufurped the power of a». 
defpotic judge between the altar and the throne, be- 
tween the prince and his fubjeAs, between one poten« 
tate and another. She kindled the flames of war 
with her fpiritual thunders. But (he wanted emi(^ 
farits to fpread the terror of her arms, and made 
choice of the monks for that purpofe. The fecular 
clergy, notwithftanding their celibacy, which kept 
them from worldly connedtions, had ftiil an attach- 
ment to the world by the lies of intereft, often ftrong- 
cr than thofc of blood. A fet of men, fecltided from^ 
fociety by iinguiar inftitutions which muft incline- 
them to fanaticifm, and by a blind fubmiflion to the 
didates of a foreign pontif, were bed adapted to fe- 
cond the views of fuch a fovereign:. Thefe vile andi 
abjed): tools of fuperilition fulfined their fatal empIoy«- 
mcnt but too fucccfsfully. With their intrigues, fe- 
conded by favourable occurences, England, which had^ 
fb long withilood the conquering arms of the ancienc 
Roman empire, became tributary to modern Rome. 

At length the paHions and violent capricea of Henry 
VIIT. broke the fcandalous dependence. The abufe 
0^f fo infamous a power had already opened the eye& 
i>£ the natioad^ The prince ventured at once to ihake 

off 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. y 

off the authority of the pope, abolifh monafteries, 
and afiume the fupremacy o^cr his own church. 

This open fchifm was followed by other alterations 
in the reign of Edward, fon and fucceilbr to Henry. 
The religious opinions, which were then changing the 
face of Europe, were openly difcuffed. boaiething 
was taken from every one ; many dodlrines and rites 
of the old religion were retained ; and from thefe fe« 
veral fyflems or tenets arofe.a new communion, dif- 
tinguiihed by the name of The Church of England. 

Elizabeth, who completed this important work, 
found theory alone too fubtle ; and thought it mo(l 
expedient to captivate the fenfcs, by the addition of 
fome ceremonies. Her natural tafle for grandeur, 
and the dcQre of putting a i)op to the difputes about 
points of dodlrine, by entertaining the eye with the 
external parade of worfhip, made her inclined to 
adopt a greater number of religious rites. But fhe 
was retrained by political confiderations, and was 
obliged to facrifice fomething to the prejudices of a 
party that had raifed her to the throne, and was able 
to maintain her upon it. 

Far from fufpefting that James I. would execute 
what Elizabeth had not even dared to attempt, it 
might be expelled that he would rather have been 
inclined to reftrain ecclefiaf^ical rites and ceremonies. 
That prince, who had been trained up in the principles 
of the Preibyterians, a fcft who, with much fpiritual 
pride, affected great fimplicity of drefs, gravity of 
manners, and auderity of dodlrine, and lovpd to fpeak 
in fcripture phrafes, and to make ufe of none but 
fcripture names for their children. One would have 
fuppofed that fuch an education mu(t have prejudiced 
the king againd the outward pomp of the catholic 
worfhip, and every thing that bore any affinity to it. 
But the fpirit of fyftem prevailed in him over the 

^rinci- 



to HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

m 

principles of education. Struck with the epifcopal 
jurifdidtion which he found eftabliihed in England, 
and which he thought conformable to his own noti- 
ons of civil government, he abandoned from convic- 
tion the early impreffions he had received, and grew 
paffionately fond of a hierarchy modelled upon the 
political oeconomy of a well conftituted empire. In 
this enthuiiafm, he wanted to introduce this wonder- 
ful difcipline into Scotland, his native country ; and 
to unite to it a great many of the Englifh, who Aill 
didented from it. He even intended to add the pomp 
of the mod awful ceremonies to the majeftic plan, if 
he could have carried his grand projects into execu- 
tion. But the oppofition he- met with at fird fetting 
our, would not permit him to advance any further in 
his fydem of reformation. He contented himfelf 
with recommending to his fon to relume his views, 
whenever the times fhould furniih a favourable op- 
portunity ; and reprefented the Prefbyterians to him 
as alike dangerous to religion and to the throne. 

Charles readily adopted his advice, which was but 
too conformable to the principles of defpotifm he had 
imbibed from Buckingham his favourite, the mofl: 
irrupt of men, and the corrupter of the courtiers. 
'Eapave the way to the revolution he was meditating, 
Jbe^ promoted fevera) biOiops to the higheft dignities 
te the government, and conferred on them mod of 
the offices that gave the greated influence on public 
ineafures. Thofe ambitious prelates, now become 
the maders of a prince who had been weak enough 
to be guided by the indigations of others, betrayed 
that ambition fo familiar to the clergy, of raifing up 
ecclefiadical jurifdi£lion under the ihadow of the 
royal prerogative. They multiplied the church cere- 
monies without end, wader pretence of their being of 

4ipof- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. xi 

apoftolical ioftttution $ and, to inforce their obfcn^* 
tDce, had rccourfe to royal a£te of arbitrary power. 

It was evident that there was a fetded deilgn of 
reftoring, in all its fpkndour, what the Protedants 
called Romtih idolatry, though the moft violent 
means fhould be neccflary to compafs it. This pro- 
jcA gave the more umbrage, as tt was fupported by 
the prejudices and intrigues of a prelumptuous queen 
who had brought from France an immoderate paiEon 
for popery and arbitrary power. 

It can fcarce be imagined what acrimony thefe 
alarming fufpicions had raifcdin the minds of the peo- 
ple. Common prudence would have allowed time foe 
the ferment to fubfide. But the fpirit of fanadcifm 
made choice of thofe troublefome times to recall every 
thing to the unity of the church of England, which 
was become more odious to the diflcnters, fince fb 
many cuftpms had been introduced into it which they 
confidered as fuperftitious. An order was iflued, that 
both kingdoms fhould conform to the worfhip and 
difcipline of the epifcopal church. This law included 
the Prefbyterians, who then began to be called Puri- 
tans, becanfe they profefled to take the pure and fim- 
pie word 'of God for the rule of their faith and prac*^ 
tice. It was extended likewife to all the foreign Ca}|^ ■- 
vinifts that were in the kingdom, whatever differei^ 
there might be in their opinions. This hierarchai wor« 
fhip was enjoined to the regiments, and trading com- 
panies that were in the feveral countries in Europe. 
Laftly, the Englifh ambafladors were required to fe- 
parate from all communion with the foreign protef- 
tants ; fo that England loft all the influence (he had 
abroad, as the head and fupport of the reformation. 

In this fatal crids, moft of the Puritans were divid- 
ed between fubmiffion and oppo/irion. Thofe who 
■Fould Dflicher fioop to yields nor take the pains to re- 



n HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

fifty turned their views towards North- America, to 
feek for that civil and religious liberty which their 
ungrateful country denied them. The enemies of 
their peace attempted to fhut this retreat againft thefe 

:devout fugitives, who wanted to worfhip God in their 
own way in a defart laad. Eight fhips that lay at 
anchor in the Thames ready to fail, were flopped ; 
and Cromwell is faid to have been detained there by 
that very king whom he atterwards brought to the 
fcaffbld. Enthufiafmj however, ftronger than the 
rage of perfecution, furmounted every obftacle ; and 
that region of America was foon filled with prefby* 
terians. The comfort they CDJoyed in their retreat, 

'gradually induced all thofe of their party to follow 
them, who were not attrocious enough to take de- 
light in thofe dreadful cataftrophes which foon after 
made England a fcene of blood and horror. Many 
were afterwards induced to remove thither in more 
peaceable times, with a view to advance their fortunes. 
In a word, all Europe contributed greatly to increafe 
their population. Thoufands of unhappy men, op- 
preffed by the tyranny or intolerant fpirit of their 
fovereign, took refuge in that hemifphere. Let us 
iKyw endeavour to acquire fome information refpeA- 
*^'fcg that country. 

3^ Parallel betvfeen the Old and the New World. 

It is furprifing that for fo long a time fo little 
ihotild have been known of the new world even after 
It was difcovered. Barbarous foldiers and rapacious 
merchants were not proper pcrfons to give us jiift and 
•clear notions of this half of the univerfe. It was the 
province of philofophy alone to avail itfelf of the in- 
formations fcattered in the accounts of voyagers and 
miffionaries, in order to fee America fuch as nature 

hath 



SETTLEMENtS iN AMERICA. 13 

hath made it, and to invefiigate its aflinity with the 
reft of the globe. 

It is now pretty certain, that the new centlnent has 
not half the extent of furface as the old. On the 
other hand, the form of both is fo iingularly alike^ 
that we might eafily be feduced to draw confequences 
from this particular, if it were always not right to be 
upOQ our guard againft the fpirlt of (yftem, which of- 
ten ftops us in our refearches after truthj and hinders 
us from attaining to it. 

The two continents feem to form as It were two 
broad flips of land that begin from the arctic pole^ 
and terminate at the tropic of Capricorn, parted oa 
the eaft and weft by the ocean that furrounds them. 
Whatever may be the ftruAure of thefe two contin*. 
ems, and the balance or fymmety of their form, it is 
plain their equilibrium does not depend upon their 
poiition. It is the inconftancy of the fea that makes 
the folidity of the earth. To fix the globe upon its 
bafts, it feemed neceflary to have an element which^ 
floating inceftantly round our planet, might by its 
weight counterbalance all other fubftanccs, and by id 
fluidity reftore that equilibrium which the conflict of 
the other elements might have overthrown. Watef^ 
by the motion that is natural to it, and by its gravity 
likewile, is infinitely better calculated to keep up tbaC^^ 
harmony and that balance of the feveral parts round 
its centre. If our hemifphere has a very wide extent 
of land to the north, a mafs of water of equal weight 
at the oppofite part will certainly produce an equilib* 
rium. if under the tropics we have a rich country 
covered with men and animals ; under the fame lati- 
tude, America will have a fea full of fifh. Whilfl: 
forefts of trees bending under the largeft fruits, the 
snoft enormous quadrupeds, the moft populous nati^ 
ons, dcphaats and raca> prefs 00 tbe fucCacc oi vV^^ 

Vol. L C «%tiikx^ 



HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

«arthf and feem to abforb all its fertility throughout 
the torrid zone $ at both poles are found the whales, 
with innumerable multitudes of cods and herrings, 
with clouds of infeAsi and all the infinite and prodig- 
ious tribes that inhabit the feasi as if to fupport the 
taxis of the earth, and ptevent its inclining or deviat- 
ing to either fide ; if, however, elephants, whales, or 
men, can be faid to have any weight on a globe, where 
all living creatures are but a tranfient modification of 
<the earth that compofes it. In a word, the ocean rolls 
4)ver this globe to fafhion it, in conformity to the ge- 
neral laws of gravity. Sometimes it covers and fomc- 
^Imes it uncovers a hemifphere, a pole, or a zone ; but 
in general it feems to ^St£i more particularly the 
equator, as the cold of the poles in fame meafure 
takes off that fiuidity which conftitutes its efience and 
imparts to it all its aAion. It is chiefiy between the 
tropics that the fea fpreads and is in motion, and that 
-it undergoes the greateft change both in its regular 
jind periodical motions, as well as in thofe kinds of 
.convulfions occafionally excited in it by tcmpcftuous 
winds. The attraftion of the fun, and the fermenta- 
tions occafioned by its continual heat in the torrid 
^one, rouft have a very remarkable influence upon the 
<)cean. The motion of the moon adds a new force 
to this influence; and the fea, to yield to this double 
Impjxire, rouft, it fhould fcem, flow towards the equa- 
tor. 'Ihe jQatnefs of the globe towards the poles caa 
inly be afcrJbcd to that great extent of water that has 
hitherto prevented our knowing any thing of the 
lands near the fouth pole. The fea cannot eafily paft 
from «i?Jthin the tropics, if the temperate and frozen 
•jconesare not nearer the centre of the earth than the 
torrid zone. It is the fea then that conflitutts the 
^equilibrium with the land, and difpofes the arrange- 
fi^cnt Qiibfi mauriaU that cojppojfe Juc £};ae proof 



SETFLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 15 

that thf two regular flips of land which the two con- 
tinents of the globe prefent at firft view are not eilen- 
tially neceflary to its con for (nation, is, that the neur 
hemifphere has remained covered with the waters of 
the iea a much longer ticne than the old. Befldes, if 
there is a vifible affinity between the two hemifpheres^ 
there may be diSercnces between them as ftriking a» 
the iimilitude is, which will deftroy that fuppofed har« 
mony we flatter ourfelves that we fhall find. 

When we condder the map of the world, and fee 
the local correfpondence there is between the i(lhmu» 
of Suez and that of Panama, between the cape of 
Good Hope and cape Horn, between the Archipelago 
of the Eeafl-Indies and that of the Leeward Iflands,and 
between the mountains of Chili and thofe of Mono*- 
motapa, we are flruck with the fimiliarity of the icve- 
ral forms this pidlure prefents. Every where we ima- 
gine we fee land oppofice to land, water to water^ 
iflands and peninfulas fcattered by the hand of nature 
to ferve as a counterpoife, and the fea by its fluctua- 
tion conflantly maintaining the balance of the whole. 
But if, on the other hand, we compare the grea4 zU/m 
tent of the Pacific Ocean, which parts the llad and' 
"Wed Indies, with the fmall fpace the Ocean occupies^ 
between the coaft of Guinea and that of lirafil ; the 
vafl quantity of inhabited land to the North, with the 
little we know towards the .*50uth ; the direction of ihc 
mountains of Tartary and Europe, which is froin Eaft 
to weft, with that of the CordiTeras which run frooi 
North to South •, the mind is at a ftand, and we have 
the mortification to fee the order andfymmetry vanifb 
with which we hadeinbellifhedour tyftcm of the earth. 
l*he obferver is ftill more difpleafed with his conjec- 
tures, when he confiders the immenfe height of the 
mountains of Peru. Ihen, indeed, he is aftonifhed 
Co fee a continent fo high and fo lately difcovered^ the 



i6 HISTORY OF THE BKmSH 

fea (b far below its tops, and fo recently come down 
from the lands that fceoied to be eflfe^hially defended 
from its attacks by thofc tremendous bulwarks. It is, 
however, an undeniable faA, that both continents of 
the new hemifpherc have been covered with the fea. 
The air and the land confirm this truth. 

The broad and long rivers of America ; the immenfe 
forefts to the South ; the fpacious lakes and vafl mor- 
ales to the Noi th ; the eternal fnows between the tro- 

. pics ; few of thoie pure fands that fcem to be the re- 
mains of an exhauded ground ; no men entirely black; 
Tery fair people under the line : a cool and mild air 
in the fame latitude as the fultry and uninhabitable 
parts of Africa; a frozen and fevere climate under 
the (a me parallel asour temperate climates; and, la(^- 
ly, a difference of ten or twelve degrees in the tem- 
perature of the old and new hemifpheres ; thefe are 
io many tokens of a world that is (till in its infancy* 
Why fhould the continent of America be fo much 
warmer and fo much colder in proportion than that 
of Europe, if it were not for the moifture the ocean 

:lmiieft behind, by quitting it long after our contin- 
ent wa$ peopled r Nothing but the fea can poffibly 
bave prevented Mexico from being inhabited as early 
as Afia. If the waters that ftill moiften the bowels 
of the earth in the new hemifphere had not covered 
its furface, man would very early have cut down the 
woods, drained the fens, confolidated a foft and wa- 
tery foil by fiirring it up and expofing it to the rays 
6f the fun« opened a free paflage to the winds, and 
raifed dikes along the rivers : in fhort, the climate 
would have been totally altered by this time. But a 
rude and unpeopled hemifphere denotes a recent world 
when the fea, rolling in the neighbourhood of iu 
coafis, ftill flows obfcurely in its channels. The fun left 
fcorchingi more plentiful rains^ and thicker and more 

fiag- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. •'17 

ftagnatiDg -vtipours, betray cither the decay or the in-r 
fancy of nature* 

The difference of climate, arifing from the waters 
having lain fo long on thegroHnd in America, could 
not but have a great influence on men and animiils. 
From this diverSty of caufcs muft neccffirily arile a; 
very great dfverfity of eflFcfts. Accordingly we fee 
more fpecies of animals, by two thirds^ in rheolJ con«- 
tinent than in the new*, animals of the fame kind con-- 
fiderably larger; fiercer and more favage monilers, in> 
proportion to the greater increafe of mankind Oa^ 

• the other hand, nature fcems to have ftrangely nc-- 
g\c6\cd the new world The men have lefs Itrength^ 
and lefs courage ; no beard and no hair : they are 
degraded in all the tokens of manhood ; and but lit- 
tle fufccptible of the lively and powerful fcntiment of 
love, which is the principle of every attachment, the- 
Avd inflindt, the fir(^ band of focicty, without whiclv 
all the other factitious ties have neitheir energy nor 
duration. The women, who are flill more weak, are 
neither favourably treated by nature nor by the men^. 
who have but little love for them, and conlider thenar 
as the inOruments that are to furnifh to their wants.; 
they rather facrifice them to their own indolence, than» 
confecrkite them to their pleafures^ This indolence is> 
the great delight and fupreme felicity of the Ameri*- 
cans, of which the women are the viftims by the con- 
tinual labours impofed upon them. It muCb, however* 
be confeflld, that in America, as in all other parrs^n 
the men, when they have fenienced' the women to* 
work, have been fo equitable, as to take upon- 
themfelves the perils of war, together with* the toils^ 
of hunting and filhing. But their indifierence for 
the fex which nature has intrufled^ with the care ofc 

^reproducing the fpecies^ implies an impcrfo£tioa* jcft , ^ 
their organs> a fort of (hite of childhood in- the po^^j^^ 

• fie oil AmcsksL^s^ia^ t&ofJs of o\iv' coxix3ascxu5.^)E^«tfe^ 



. o 



tff mSTORT OF THE BRITISH 

tiot yet arrived to the age of pubef tj. This is a radi- 
cal vice ID the other hemifphcre, the recency of which 
is difcovered by this kind of impcrfeAion* 

But if the Americans are new people, are they a 
race of men originally dif^ioA fiom chofe that cover 
the face of the old world ? This is a queflion which 
ought not to be haftily decided. The origin of the 
population of America is involved in inextricable diffi- 
culties. If we aflert that the Grcenlanders firft came 
from Norway, and then went over to the coaft of La- 
brador; others will tell us, it is more natural to fup- 
pofe that the Grcenlanders are fprung from the £(^ 
quimaux, to whom they btar greater refemblance than 
to the Europeans* If we (hould fuppofe tliat Califor- 
nia was peopled from Kamtfchatka, it may be aiked 
what motive or what chance could have led the Tar- 
tars to the north- wed of America. Yet It is imagin- 
ed to be from Greenland or from Kamtfchatka that 
the inhabitants of the old world mud have gone over 
to the new, as it is by thofe two countries that the 
two continents are connedled, or at lead approach 
jieareil to one another. Beiicles, how can we conceive 
that in America the torrid zone can have been peopled 
from one of the frozen zones ? Population will indeed 
ipread from north to fouth ; but it mud nsrturally 
have begun under the equator, where life is chcriOi- 
cd by warmth. If the people of America could not 
come from our continent, and yet appear to be a new 
race, we mud have recourie to the flood, which is 
the fource and the folution of all difficulties in the 
hidory of nations. 

Let us fuppofe, that the fea having overflowed the 
ether hemifphere, its old inhabitants took refuge upon 
the Apalachian mountains, and the Cordileras, which 
arc far higher than our mount Ararat. But how 
fimld they have lived upon tbofc hcightSj covered 

with 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 19 

wkh (now, and iVintninded with waters ? How is it 
poffiblc, that men, who had breathed in a pure and 
delightful climate, could have furvived the miferies 
of want, the inclemency of a tainted air, and thofc 
oumberlcft calamities which mud be the unavoidable 
confequences of a deluge ? How will the race have 
been preferved and propagated in thofe times of 
general calamity, and in the fucceeding ages of a 
languid eziflence ? In defiance of all tKefe obflades, 
we muft allow that America has been peopled by 
thefe wretched remains of the great devadation. 
Every thing carries the veftiges of a malady, of which 
the human race dill feels the effcAs. The ruin of 
that world is ftill imprinted on its inhabitants. They 
are a fpecies of men degraded and degenerated in 
their natural conilitution, in their ilature, in. their 
way of life, and in their underdandings, which have 
made fo little progrefs in all the arts of civilization* 
A damper air, and a more marfhy ground, muft 
necedarily infcA the very roots and feeds both of the 
fubfidence and multiplication of mankind* It muft 
have required fome ages to red ore population, and 
dill a greater number before the ground could be 
fettled and dried fo as to be fit for tillage and for the 
foundation of buildings. The earth mud neccfiarily 
be purified before the air could clear, and the air 
mud be clear before the earth could be rendered 
habitable. The imperfe^on therefore of nature in 
America is not a proof of its recent origin, but of 
its regeneration. It was probably peopled at the fame 
time as the other hcmifphere, but may have been 
overflown later. Ihe large fodil bones that are 
found under ground in America, iliew that it form- 
erly had elephants, rhinocerofes, and other enorm- 
4>cis quadrupeds, which have fince difappeared from 
iiuXt regions* The gpld and filver mines that ave 



M . HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

found juft below the furface, are figns of a very anw 
cient reToIution of the globe, but later than thofe that 
have overturned our hemifphere. 

Suppofe Anaerica had, by fome means or other, 
been repcopled by our roving hords, that period 
.would be fo remotei that it would ftill give great an* 
tiquity to the inhabitants of that hemifphere. Three 
or four centuries will not then be fufficient to allow 
for the foundatipn of the empires of Mexico and 
Peru ; for though we find no trace in thefe countries* 
■of our arts, or of the opinions and cufVoms that pre- 
vail in other parts of the globe, yet we have found a^ 
police and a fociety el^ablifhcd, inventions and prac* 
tices, which, though they did not fhew any marks of 
.times anterior to the deluge, yet they implied a long> 
feries of ages fubfequent to this cataftrophe. For 
though in Mexico, as in iigypt, a country furrounded 
with waters, mountains, and other invincible obdac- 
les, mui\ have forced the men inclofed in it to unite 
after a time, though they might at firft live in alter- 
cations and in continual and bloody wars, yet it was* 
only in procefs of time that they could invent and 
cfirablifh a worfhip and a legiflation, which they could 
not poffibly have borrowed from remote times or 
countries* The (ingle art of fpeech, and that of 
writing, though but in hieroglyphics, required more 
ages to train up an unconnected nation that mud:: 
have created both thofe arts, than it would take up^ 
days to perfect a child in both. Ages^ bear not the 
fame proportion to the whole race as years do to in- 
dividuals. The former is te occupy a vaft field, both 
as to fpace and duration \ while the other has only 
fome moments or ini^ants of time to fill up^ or rather 
to run over. The likenefs and uniformity obfervable 
in the features and manners of the American nations,, 
plainly &ew that they are not fo aocicnt a» thofe of 

QU<t 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 21 

our contineat which differ fo much from each other ; 
but at the fame time this circumdance feems to con- 
firm that they did not proceed from any foreign 
hemifphere, with which they have no kind of affinity 
that can indicate an immediate defceut« 

4. Comparifan between civilized people andfavages* 

Whatever may be the cafe with regard to their 
origin or their antiquity, which are both uncertain, 
a more intereO^ing obje^ of inquiry, perhaps, is, to 
determine whether thcfe untutored nations are more 
or lefs happy than our civilized people. Let us, 
therefore, examine whether the condition of rude 
man left to mere animal in(Vin^, whofe day, which 
is fpent in hunting, feeding, producing his fpecies, 
and repoHng himfelf, is the model of all the reft of 
his days, is better or worfe than the condition of that 
wonderful being, who makes his bed of downs, fpins 
and weaves the thread of the filk-worm to clothe 
himfelf, has exchanged the cave, his original abode, 
for a palace, and hat varied his indulgences and his 
wants in a thoufand different ways. 

It is in the nature of man that we muft look for his 
means of happinefs. What does he want to be as hap* 
py as he cjm be ? Prefent fubiiftence ; and, if he thinks 
of futurity, the hopes and certainty of enjoying that 
bleffing. The favage, who has not been driven to the 
frigid zones, is not in want of this firft of neceffaries. 
If he lays in no ftores, it is becaufe the earth and the 
fea are refervoirs always open to fupply his wants, 
FiOi and game are to be had all the year; and will 
make up for the deficiency of the dead feafons. The 
favage has no clofe houfes, or commodious fire* places, 
but his furs anfwer all the purpofes of the roof, the 
garment, and the ftove. He works but for his own 

beocfit^ 



22 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

benefit, fleeps when be is weary, and is a ftranger to 
watchings and reftlefs nights. War is a matter of 
choice to him. Danger, like labour, is a conditioa 
of his nature, not a profeffion annexed to his birth i 
a duty of the nation, not a family bondage. The 
favage is ferious, but not melancholy; and his coun- 
tenance fcldom bears the impreffion of thofe pafGons 
and diforders that leave fuch (hocking and fatal marks 
on ours. He cannot feel the want of what he does 
not deiire, nor can he defire what he is ignorant of* 
Mod of the inconveniencies of life are remedies for 
evils he does not feel. Pleafures are a relief to appe- 
tites which are not excited in his fenfations. He 
feldom experiences any of that wearinefs that arifes 
from unfatisfied defires, or that emptinefs and uneafl- 
nefs of mind that is the off- fpring of prejudice and 
vanity. In a word, the favage is fubjeA to none but 
natural evils. 

But what greater happinefs than this does the civi- 
lized man enjoy ? His food is more wholefome and 
delicate than that of the favage. He has fofter clothes, 
and a habitation better fecured againft the inclemen- 
cies of the weather. But the common people, who 
are to be the bafis and object of civil focicty, thofe 
numbers of men who in all ftates bear the burden of 
bard labour, cannot be faid to live happy, either m 
thofe empires where the confequecwres of war and the 
imperfe^on of the police has reduced them to a (late 
of flavery, or in thofe governments where the progrefs 
of luxury and policy has reduced them to a ftate of 
fervitude The mixed governments fometimes afford 
fome fparks of happinefs, founded on a fhadow of 
liberty \ but this happinefs is purchafed by torrents of 
blood, which repel tyranny for a time only to let it fall 
the heavier upon the devoted nation, fooner or later 
doomed to. oppreffion. Let us but obferve how 

Caligula 



SETTLEMENPES IN AMERICA. . tj 

Cafigola and Nero have revenged the expolfioD of the 
Tarquins and the death of Caefan 

Tyranny, we are told, is the work of the people, 
and not of kings. But iJF fo, why do they fufier it I 
Why do they not repel the encroachments of defpot- 
ifm ; and while it employs violence and artifice to 
enflave all the faculties of men, why do they not op- 
pofe it with all their powers ? But is it lawful to mur- 
mur and complain under the rod of the opprefibr ? 
Will it not exafperate and provoke him to purfuc the 
vidlim to death ? The cries of fervitudc he calls re« 
belion ; and they are to be ftifled in a dungeon, and 
fometimes on a fcaffbld. The man who (hould aflert 
the rights of man, would perifh in negle^ and infamy. 
Tyranny, therefore, muft be endured, under the name 
of authority. ' 

If fo, to what outrages is not the civilized roan 
ezpofed ! If he is pofieiled of any property, he knows 
not how far he may eall it his own, when he muft 
divide the produce between the courtier who may 
attack his eftate, the lawyer who mud be paid for 

' teaching him how to prcferve it, the foldier who may 
lay it wafte, and the colledlor who comes to levy un« 
limited taxes. If he has no property, how can he be 
afiured of a permanent fubfiAence? What fpecics of 
induftry is there fecured againft the vicifEtudes of 
fortune, and the encroachments of government ? 
In the forefts of America, if there is a fcarcity in 

^ the north, the favages bend their courfe to the fouth* 
The wind or the fun will drive a wandering clan to 
more temperate climates. ^ Between the gates and bars 
that fliut up our civilzed ftates in famine, war or pef- 
tilence, (hoidd confume an empire, it is a prifon where 
all muft expeA to perifh in mifery, or in the horrors 
of flaughter. The man who is unfortunately born 
^re muft end^irc all extortionsyall the feverities^that^ 



14 HISTORIJOF THE BRITISH 

the inclemency of the feafons and the inju&ice of go« ." 
Ternment may bring upon him. 

In our provinces^ the vaflal, or free mercenaarji^ 
digs and ploughs the whole year round, on lands that - 
are not his own, and whofe produce docs not belong 
to him ; and he is even happy, if his affiduoiis labcmr 
procures him a (hare of the crops he has fown and 
reaped. Obferved and harrafled by a hard and reft« 
lefs landlord, who grudges him the very ftraw on 
which he refts his weary limbs« the wretch is daily 
expofed to difeafcs, which, joined to his poverty, make * 
him wifh for death, rather than for an expenfive cure^ 
followed by infirmities and toil. Whether tenant or 
fubjedt, he is doubly a flave : if he has a few acres, 
bis lord comes and gathers wherc'he has not fown ; if 
he is worth but a yoke of oxen or a pair of horfes, 
he mud go with them upon fcrvices; if he has noth- 
ing but his perfon: the prince takes him for a foldier. 
Every where he meets with mafters, and always with 
cppreffion. 

In our cities, the workman and the artift who have 
€fiabli(hments are at the mercy of greedy and idle 
mafters, who by the privilege of monopoly have pur- 
chafed of government a power of making induftry 
work for nothing,* and of felling its labours at a very 
high price. The lower clafs have no more than the 
fight qpthat luxury of whi ch they are doubly the vic- 
tims, by the watchings and fatigues it occafions them 
anid by the infolence of the pomp that mortifies and 
tritmples upon them. 

Even fuppofing that the dan^rerous labours of our 
quarries, mines, and forges, with all the arts that are 
performed by fire, and that perils of navigation and 
commerce were lefs pernicious than the roving life of 
the favages who live upon hunting and fiihing ; fup- 
jpofe that mcDj who axe ever lamenting the forrows and 

affronts 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA, 15 

affronts chat arife mcrelj from opinion^ are left un« 
&app7 than the favages, who never (bed a tear in the 
midll of the mod: excruciating tortures ; there would 
ftill remain a wide difference between the £ate of the 
civilized man and the wild Indian* a difference entire- 
ly to the dir<«d vantage of focial life. This is the in- 
juflice that reigns in the partial diQribution of fortunes 
and Oations ; an inequality which is at once the eSc(t 
and the caufe of opprcilion. 

In vain does cuUom, prejudice, ignorance, and 
hard labour, ilupify the lower clafs of mankind, fo as 
to render them infendble of their degradation; neith- 
er religion nor morality can hinder them from feeing 
and feeling the injuAice of political order in the dii- 
tribution of good and evil. How often have we heard 
the poor man expoflulating with Heaven, and aiking 
what he had done, that he fliould deferve to be 
born in an indignent and dependant ffation. Even if 
great conflidls were infepar^ible from more exalted 
iiations, which might be fufHcient to balance all the 
advantages and all the fuperiopity that the focial ftate 
claims over the ftate of nature, ftill the obfcure man, 
who is unacquainted with thofe conffi£^s, fees nothing 
in a high rank but that affluence which is the caufe of 
his own poverty. He envies the rich inan thofe plea- 
fures to which he is fo accuftomed, that he has loft all 
reliih for them* What domeftic can have a real affec- 
tion for his mafter^ or what is the attachment of a fer- 
vant ? Was ever any prince truly beloved by his court- 
iers, even when he was hated by his fubje^ls ? If we 
prefer our condition to that of the favages, it is be- 
caufe civil life has made us incapable of bearing fome 
natural hard (hips which the favage is more expofed 
to than we are, and becaufe we are attached to fome 
indulgences that cuftom has made neceflary to us. 
ILven in the vigour of life, a civilized man may accuf- 
VoL. L ' D v^m. 



4ft HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

torn himfclf to live among favages, and return to th« 
. ilatc of nature. Wc have an inftanccof this in that 
Scotchman who was caft away on the ifland of Fer- 
bandezy where he lived alone, and was happy as foon 
a^ he was fo taken up with fupplying his wants, as to 
forget his own country^ his language, his name, and 
«vcn the utterance of words. After four years, he 
felt himfelf eafed of the burded of focial life, when he 
had loft all refie^lion or thought of the paft, and all 
inxicty for the future. 

Laftly, the confcioufhefs of independence being one 
of rhe firf^ inftindls in man, he who enjoys this primi- 
tive right, with a moral certainty of a competent fub- 
'fiftcnce, is incomparably happier than the rich manf 
ref^raincd by laws, maflers, prejudices, and fafhionst 
which inccflantly remind him of the lofs of his liberty* 
To compare the ftate of Savages to that of Children, 
is to decide at once the queftion that has been fo 
warmly debated by philofopherg, concerning the ad- 
vantages of the flatc of nature, and that of iocial life. 
Children, notwithflanding the reOraints of education, 
$re in the happiell age of human life. Their habitual 
chcerfulnefs, when they are not under the fchool- 
maftcr's rod, is the furell indication of the happinefs 
thfy feel. After all, a finglc word may determine 
this great queflion. Let us afk the civilized man, 
^ii'hcther he is happy; and the favage, whether he is 
'tJnhappy. If they both anfwer' in the negative, the 
4Jifpu\ve is at an end. 

CiviUzed nations, this parallel muft certainly be 
riortifying to you : but you cannot too iirongly feel 
the wjc^ht of the calamities under which you groan. 
The rekycc painful »his ienlation is, the more will it 
jiw^keti your attention to the true caufcs of your fuf- 
■fcrTrgs. Yru may at laft be convinced that they pro- 
4:e!cd iipm tjti.e confufion of your opinions, from the 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. %^ 

de(e£ls of your political conftitutions, and from cap* 
ricious laws, which arc in continual oppoiition to the 
laws of nature. 

After this inquiry into the moral ftate of the ^ 
Americans, let us return to the natural ftate of their 
country. Let us fee what it was before the arrival of 
the iLnglifbi and what it is become under their domi- 
nion. 

|. In what flat e the EngUJb found North Amtrica and 

what they have doae there. 

The ilrft Europeans who went over to fettle Eog- 
lifh colonies, found immenfe forefts* The vaft trees« 
that grew up to the clouds, were fo encumbred with 
creeping plants, that they could not be got at. The 
wild beads made theJTe woods ftill more inacceffible. 
They met only with few favages, clothed with the 
fkins of thofe monfters. The human race, thinly fcat« 
tered, fled from each other, or purfued only with iu« 
tent to deftroy* The earth feemed ufelefs to man y 
and its powers were not exerted fo miKh for his fup- 
port, as in the breeding of animals, more obedient ta 
the laws of nature. The earth produced every thing 
at pleafure, without affiftance, and withour dire£tion ; ic 
yielded all its bounties with uncontrolled profufion for 
the benefit of at), not for the pleafure or convenicn- 
clcs of one fpecics of beings. The rivers glided freely 
thro' the foreds ; now fpread themftlves quietly in a 
wide morafs ; from hence ifTuing in various (treanis, 
they formed a multitude of iflinds, encompa&d with 
their channels. The fpring was reftored fjL^4n;.the 
fpoils of autumn. The leaves dried and rotl&«i£^the 
foot of the trees, fupplied them with freOi ^|p|p^eu- 
able them to ihoot out new blofr3ms. Tbjl^.£dllo\^ 
trunks oi trees afforded a ieireat to prodigious' iltghts 

o£ 



iS HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

of birds. The fca, dafhing againft the coafts^ and io- 
dendng the gulphs, threw up fhoals of amphibious 
monders, enormous whales, crabs and turtles, that 
fported uncontrolled on the dcfart fhores. There na- 
ture exerted her pladic power, inccfiantly producing 
the gigantic inhabitants of the ocean, and averting the 
freedom of the earth and the fea. 

But man appeared, and immcdiarely changed the 
face of North America. He introduced fy me try, by 
the affidance of all the inftniracnts of art. The im- 
penetrable woods were inftantly cleared, and made 
room for commodious habitations. The wild beads 
vere driven away, and flocks of domedic animals fup- 
plied. their place; whilfl thorns and briars made way 
for rich harvefls. The waters forfook part of their 
domain, and were drained off into the interior parts 
of the land, or into the fea, by deep canals. The 
coads were covered with towns, and the bays with 
fhips ; and thus the new world, like the old, became 
fubjefl to man. What powerful engines have raifed'' 
that wonderful ftrudure of European induftry and 
policy ? Let us proceed to the particulars. 






BOOK 



iL, 



SSTTLEMENIS IN AMIRICA. 09 

BOOK le 

ENGLISH COLONIES SErrLEiy AT HUDSON*!! B AT^ 

NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW ENGLAKP^ 

NEW YORK, AND NE^W JERSEY, 

CHAP. L 

Of H u D^ s o K^s B A r.' 

i» Climate* Cu/ioms ef ibt inhabitants* Trader 

IN the remoteft part ftaifidis a roHtary objcA, difiin^fc 
frota the whole, which is called Hudfon's bayr 
This bay, of about ten degrees in length, is formed 
by the'Dcean'in the diftam and nortbrcn parts of A<* 
'feaerica. The breath of the entrance is about fix leagues ; 
bat \i is only to be attempted from, the beginning of 
July to the end of September, and is even then extreme* 
\j dangerous. This danger arifes from mountains of 
ice, forne of which are faid to be from 1 ; ta iShun-*- 
dred feet thick, and which havin'g been produced by 
.winters of five or fix years duration in« Itttk gulph$ 
IcpnAantly filled with fnow, are foi^ced out of them by^ 
Rorth-weft winds, dr by fome other extraordinary- 
caufe. The bed way of avoiding them is to keep as: 
near as poffible to the northern coaO:, which mufi; ne- 
cefiarily be lefs obdrufled and laoft free by (b^ lid^ttr-* 
al dircftioQs^ of both winds a«d currenUk ^iC/l? 

The north weft wind, which h\ovi% AmottH^^R^^fi^ 
ly in winter, and very often in' fummer, frt^j^cntljf 
iaifes> violent (lorms^ within the bay itielf. whijsWIs^^reR-^ 
^ed; fiill mor& ^iang^ous^ h^ the^ oumbeir .o£ .^oaIi» 

0ji ' ikiti 






30 BISTORT OP THE BRITISH 

that are found there. Happily, however, fmall groups 
of iflands are met with at difiereDt distances, which are 
of a fofficient height to afibrda flielter from the ftorm. 
Befides thefe fmall Archipelagos, there are io many 
places large piles of bare rock; but, except the Alga 
Afarina, the bay produces as few Tegctables as the 
other northern feas. Throughout all the countries 
iurrounding this bay^ the fun never rifes or fets with* 
out forming a great cone of light ; this phenomenoa 
Is fucceeded by the Aurora Borealis, which tinges the 
bemifphere with coloured rays of fuch a brilliancy, 
that the fplendour of them is not edaced even by that 
of the full moon. Notwith (landing this, there is fel- 
dom a bright iky. In fpring and autumn, the air is 
always filled with thick fogs ; and in winter, with aa 
infinite number of fmall icicles. 

Though the heats in the fummer are pretty confi- 
derable for fix weeks or two months, there is feldom 
any thunder or lightning, owing, no doubt, to the 
great number of fulphureous exhalations, which, how- 
ever, are fometimes fet on fire by the Aurora Borealis, 
and this light flame confumes the barks of the trees, 
but leave their trunks untouched. 

One of the ciffefts of the extreme cold or fnow that 
prevails in this climate, Is that of turning thofe ani- 
mals white in winter, which are naturally brown or 
grey. Nature has bedowcd upon them all, foft, long 
and thick furs, the hair of which falls off as the wea- 
ther g/ows naiWen In moft of ihefe quadrupeds, the 
fcc^i, the tail, the ears, and generally fpcaking alt thofe 
psujjkin which the circulaticn is flower bccaufe they 
arc-tn&ft remote from the hearty are extremely fhort. 
Wberfevcr they happen to be lomewhat longer; they 
are proportionably well covered. Under this henry 
iky, all liquors become folid by freezing, and break 
vliatevo' tcfiels contain them. Even fpirits of wine 

loies 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ji 

* 

loies its fludity. It is not uncommon to fee fragment* 
of large rock looiened and detatched from the great 
mafs, by the force of the froft. AH thefe phe- 
nomenaj common enough during the whole winter^ 
are much more terrible at the new and full moon, 
which m thefe regions has an influence upon the wea- 
ther, the caufes of which are not known. 

In this frozen zone, iron, lead, copper, marble, 
and a fubftance refembling fea-coal, have been di(^ 
covered. In other refpeAs, the foil is extremely 
barren. Except the coafls, which are for the tnok 
part marihy, where there grows a little grafs and 
fome foft wood, the reft of the country offers notb* 
ing but very high mofs and a few weak fhrubs thinly 
fcattered. 

This fterility of nature extends itfelf to every thing. 
The human race are few in number, and fcarce any 
of its individuals above four feet high. Their heads 
bear the fame enormous proportion to the reft of 
their bodies, as thofe of children do. The fmallnefs 
of their feet makes them aukward and tottering in 
their gait. Small hands and a round mouth, which 
in £urop>e are reckoned a beauty, Teem almoft a de« 
formity in thefe people, bccaufe we fee nothing here 
but the eJBFedls of a weak organization, and of a cold 
that contracts and reftrains the fprings of growth, 
and is fatal to the progrefs of animal as well as of 
vegetable life. Bcfides this, all their men, thougK ^^ 
they have neither hair nor beard, have the appeatv- 
ance of being old. This is partly occafioncd from-thd' 
formation of their lower Irp, which is thick, fiefhy, 
and projcdling beyond the wppcr. Such are the 
Efqnimaux, which inhabit net only the coaft of 
Labrador, from whence they have t«)^n their name, 
but likewirc all that tra^ of country which extends 

kfelf 



git HISTORT OF Tm BRITISH 

it£blf from the point of Belle-Ule to the moft norths 
^rn parts of America. 

The inhabitants of Hudfon's bay have, like the 
GreenlanderSy a flat facet ^^^t^ ihort but flattened 
Dofes, the pupil of their eyes yellow and thejris black. 
Their women have marks of deformity peculiar tp> 
their fex; amongft others, very long and flabby 
breads. This defedt which is not natural, arifes from^ 
their cuftom of giving fuck to their children till they^ 
^re five or iix years old. The children pull their 
«nothers breads with their hands, and almoft fufpend 
tbemfelvcs by them. 

It is not true that there are races of the Efqtiimaux 
entirely black, as has been iince fuppofcd) and after- 
wards accounted for ; nor that they live under ground.. 
How ihould they dig into a foil, which the cold ren- 
iders harder than ftone ? How is it pofliblethey fhould 
liveln caverns where they would be infallibly drowned 
by the firft melting of the fnows ? What, however, is 
certain, and almod equally furprHing, is, that they 
fpend the winter under huts run up in hafte, and 
made of flints joined together with cements of ice, 
where they live without any other lire but that of a 
lamp hung up in the middle of the flied, for the 
purpofe of dref&ng their game and the fiOi they feed 
upon. The heat of their blood, and of their breath, 
added to the vapour arifing from this fmall flame, i» 
fuflicient to make their huts as hot as ftoves. 

The Efquimaux dwell conflantly near the fea,, 
.which fuppiies chem with all their proviOons. Botb 
their eonditution and coinplcxion partake of the 
quality of their foo.d. The flefh of the feal is their 
food, and the oil of the whale is their drink ; whicb 
produces in them all an olive complexion, a flrong; 
Imell of fiih, an oily and tenacious fweat, and fome* 
licaes a fort of fcaly leprofy. Tbia }aft is, probably*. 

ibc: 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 33 

the reafbn why the mothers have the fame cuiftoin as 
the bears, of licking their young ones. 

This nation, weak and degraded by nature, is not* 
withftanding MOft intrepid upon a Tea that is conftant- 
ly dangerous. In boats made and fewed together ia 
the fame manner as goat (kin bottles, but at the fame 
time fo well cloied that it is impoffible for water to 
penetrate them, they follow the (hoals of herrings 
thro' the whole of their polar emigrations, and attack 
the whales and feals at the peril of their lives. One 
ftroke of the whale's tail is fufBcient to drovm a 
hundred of them, and the feal is armed with teeth to 
devour thofe he cannot drown ; but the hunger of 
the Efquimaux is fuperior to the rage of thefe mon- 
gers. They have an inordinate third for the whale's 
oil i which is neceflary to preferve the heat in their 
ftomachs, and defend them from the feverity of the 
cold. Indeed whales, men, birds, and all the quad- 
rupeds and fiHi of the north, are fupplied by nature 
with a degree of fat which prevents the mufcles from 
freezing, and the blood from coagulating. ETcry 
thing in thefe ar£tic regions is either oily or gummy, 
and even the trees are refinous* 

The Efquimaux are notwithn:anding fubje£l to two 
fatal dtforders ; the fcurvy, and the lois of fight 
The continuation of the fnows on the ground, joined 
to the reverberation of the rays of the fun on the ice* 
dazzle their eyes in fuch a manner, that they are al- 
moft conflantly obliged to wear ihades made of very 
thin wood, through which fmall apertures for the 
light have been bored with fifli- bones. Doomed to 
a fix-months night, they never fee the fun but oblique* 
ly ; and then it feems rather to blind them, than to 
give them light. Sight, the moft delightful blefilng 
of nature, is a fatal gift to them, and they are gene- 
rally deprived of it when young. 

A 




|4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

\ A ftill more cruel evil, which is the fcurvyi con«« 
fumes them by (low degrees. It iafinuates itfelf inta 
their blood| chauges, thickens, and impoverifhcs the 
vhole mais. The fogs of the Tea, ^tlifljj^ thej iafpire; 
ihe denfe and inelaflic afr they breathe in their huts, 
which are (hut up from all communication with the 
external air ; the continued and tedious inactivity of 
their winters; a mode of life alternately roving and 
fedentary; every thing, in (hort, ferves to increafe 
ihis dreadful illnefs ; which in a little time becomes 
contagious, and, fpreading itfelf throughout Uieir 
habitations, is but too probably tranfmitted by the 
means of generation. 

Notwithdanding thefe inconveniences, the Efqui- 
maux is fo paffionately fond of his country, that no 
inhabitant of the moll favoured fpot under heaven 
quits it with more r^IuCiance than he does his trozea 
defarts. One of the reafons of it may be, that he 
finds it difScult to breathe in a fofter and cooler 
climatCf The iky of Amderdam, Copenhagen, and 
London, though conftantiy obfcured by thick and 
^tid vapours, is too clear for an Efquimaux. Perhaps 
too, there may be fomething in the change of life and 
manaers (lill more contrary to the health of favages 
l^an the climate. Jt is not impoffible but that the 
^dtilgences of an Europeaa may be a poifon to the 

qutmaux. 

buch were the inhabitants of the country difcover*. 
cd in 1610 by Henry Hudfon. This intrepid mariner, 
in fearching after a north weft pafTage to the fouth* 
ieas, difcovered three freights, through which be 
hoped to find out a new way to A(ia by America. 
He failed boldly into the mid ft of the newgulphi 
and was preparing to explore all its parts, when hi^ 
treacherous (hips company put him into the long-boat 
with feven others, and left him without either arms 

or 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. $$ 

tr prtvifions, cxpofed to all the dangers both of fea 
and land. The barbarians, who refiifed him the ne« 
ceflaries of life, could not, however^ rob him of the 
honour of the difcovery ; and the bay which he firft 
found out will ever be called by his name. 

The miferies of the civil war which followed fbon 
after, had, however, made the Englifli forget this 
diftant country, which had nothing to attradt them. 
More quiet times had not yet brought it to their re« 
membrance, when Grofeillers and Radiflbn, two 
French Canaclians, who had met with fome difcon- 
tent at home, informed the Englifh, who were engaged 
in repairing by trade the mifchiefs of difcord, of the 
profits arifing from furs^ and of their claim to the 
country that furniihed them, lliofe who propofcd 
the buiinefs fhewed fo much ability, that they were 
intrulled with the execution ; and the firft eftablifh- 
ment they formed fucceeded fo well, that it furpafled 
their own hopes as well as their promifes. 

This fuccefs alarmed the French ; who were afraid, 
and with reafon, that mod of the fine furs which they 
got from the northern parts of Canada, would be car« 
ried to Hudfon*s bay. Their alarms were confirmed 
by the unanimous tel^imony of their Coureurs de Bois, 
trho fince 161; 6 had been four times as far as the bor- 
ders of the ftrait. It would have been a defirable thing 
to have gone by the fame road to attack the new col- 
ony; but the diiUnce being thought too conliderab^e 
fiotwithftanding the convenience of the rivers, it was 
at length determined that the expedition Hiovild ba 
made by fea. The fate of it was trufted to Groieillcrs 
and Radiflbn, who had been eafily brought back to a 
regard for their county. 

Thcfe two bold and rcdlefs men failed from Que- 
bec in 1682, upon two vefiels badly fitted out ; but cin 
their arrival| finding themfelves not llrong enough to 



36 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

attack the eoemy* they were contented with ereAing 
a fort in the neighbourhood of that they thought to 
have taken. From this time there began a rivalfliip 
between the two companies, one fettled at Canada^ 
the other in England, for the excluflve trade of the 
bay, which was conftantly fed by the difputcs it gave 
birth to, till at laft, after each of their fettlement^ 
had been frequently taken by the other, all hoftilities 
were terminated by the treaty of Utrecht, which gave 
up the whole to Great Britain. 

Hudfon's Bay, properly fpeaking, is only a mart 
for trade. The feverity of the climate having de(lroy« 
cd all the corn fown there at different times, hasfru& 
crated every hope of agriculture, and confequently of 
population. Throughout the whole of this extendve 
cpaft, there are not more than ninety or a hundred 
foldiers, or factors, comprifed in four bad forts, of 
^hich York fort is the principal. Their bufinefs is tp 
receive the furs which the neighbouring favages bring 
in exchange for merchandife, of which they have been 
taught the value and ufe. 

. Though thefe (kins are of much more value than 
thofe which come out of countries not fo far north, 
yet they are cheaper. The favages give ten beaver 
ikins for a gun, two for a pound of powder, one for 
four pounds of lead, one for a hatchet, one for fix 
knives, two for a pound of glafs beads, fix for a cjoth 
coat, five for a petticoat, and one for a pound of 
fnuff. . Combs, looking- glafies, kettles, and brandy, 
fell in proportion. As the beaver is the common mea» 
fure of exchange, by another regulation as fradulent 
.as the firll, two otter's ikins and three martins are re- 
quired inflead of one beaver. Befidcs this tyranny, 
. which is authorifed, there is another which is at leaft 
tolerated, by which the favages are conflantly defraud- 
td in the quality, quantity, and meafure of what is 

given 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. -37 

"given them % and the fraud amouats to about one third 
of the value. 

From this regular fyftetn of impofition it is eafy to 
guefs that the commerce of Hudfon's bay is a 
monopoly. The capital of the company that is ia 
poilefiion of it was origioallj no more than I0|565.1* 

' 12 s. 6 d. and h^s been fucceffively increafed to 104^ 
146 1. 12 s. 6d. This capital brings them in an annual 
return of forty or fifty thoufand (kins of beavers or 
other animals, upon which they make fo exorbitant 
a profit, that it excites the jealoufy and clamours of 
the nation. Two thirds of thefe beautiful furs are 
either confumed in kind in the three kingdoms, or 
made ufe of in the national manufa^hires. The reft 
are carried into Germany, where the climate makes 
them a valuable commodity* • 

1. Whetber there is a psffage mt Hudjwis Boy leading 

to the Eaft Indie/. 

But k is neither the acquifition of thefe favage 
riches, -nor the (till greater emoluments that might be 
r drawn from this trade if it were made free, which has 
fixed the attention of England as well as thatof all Eu- 
rope upon this frozen continent. Hudfop^s bay always 
has been and is ftill looked upon as the neareft road 
from Etvopetothe £a(t* Indies, and to the richeft parts 
4>f Afisf. 

Cabot 'was the fird who entertained an idea of a north 
weft paCage to the fouth ieas; but his difcoveries en- 
ded at Newfoundland. After him followed a crowd 
of Engliih navigators, many of whom had 'the glory 
of giving their names to favage coafts which ho mor«« 
tal had ever vifited before Thefe bold and memor- 
able expeditions were more brilliant than really ufeful. 
The moft fortunate of them did iiot ever furo^Uh ^ 

Vol. L JE li^^ 



-jS nSTtN&T OF THE BRITISH 

^reili coiije6faire on die end that was propoied. The 
Dutch, lc(s frequent in their trials, lefs animated in 
the means bj whidi they purfned them, were of courfe 
not more fuccesfal, and the whole began to be treated 
-as a chimKra, when the difcovery of Hudfon's Baj 
rekindled all the hopes that were nearly extinguiflied. 
At this peiiod the attempts were renewed with f refli 
iTdotir, tbofe that had been made before in vain by 
the mother country, now taken up with her own in« 
teftine commotions, were puHucd by New England^ 
whofe fituation was favourable to the enterprizc. Still 

-however, forfome time there were more voyages un- 
dertaken than difcoveries made. The nation was a 
long time kept in fnfpenfe by the dificrent accounts 

i jof the adventurers divided amonglV themfclve^. While 
fome maintained the poilibilityy others the probability 
and others again afierted the certainty, of the paflage; 
the accptints they gave, inftead of clearing up the point, 
involved it in dill greater darknefs. Indeed, thefe ac- 
counts are fo full of obfcurity and confuQcn, fo many 
things arc concealed in them, and they difplay fuch 
vrfible marks of ignorance and want of veracity, that 
with the utmoft defire of deciding, it is impoffible to 
build any thing Kkc a folid judgment upon teftinK)- 
nies fo fufpicious. At length the famous expedition 
of 1746 threw fome kind of light upon a point which 
had remained invcloped in darknefs for two centvrits 
paft. But upon what grounds have the later naviga- 
tors taken up better hopes ? What are •the experi* 
#ncnts on which they foui}d their conjeflures i Let us 
^jrocced to give an account of their arguments* There 
are thr.ee facts in natural hiflory, which henceforward 
<mufl he taken for granted. The firfl is, that the tides 

x:ome from the occnn, and that they extend more or 
Jcfs into the other fcas, in proportion as their chanels 
cu(nnijunicsite with the r^fervoirs by larger or fmsyller 

ppcn^ 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. jy 

openings ; whence it follows, th it this periodical ino« 
rion is icarcc perceptible in the Mediterranean, in the 
Baltic, and in other gulphs of the fame nature. A fe« 
cond matter of faA is, that the tides are mudi latter 
and much weaker in places more remote from the 
ocean, than in thofe which are nearer to it. The 
third fa£t is, that violent winds, which blow in a di^i^ . 
re£tion with the tides, make the in rife above their or^ 
dioary boundaries ; and that tho(e which blow in a . 
contrary direction retar^ tlte motion of the tides, at 
the fame time that they diminifh their fwell. 

From thefe principles, it is moft certain, that if 
Hudfon's bay were no more than a gjulph inclofed be- , 
cween two continents, and had no communication but 
with the Atlantic, the tides in it would be very incon* 
fiderabie ; they would be weaker in proportion as tbey, 
were further removed from the fource, and they 
would be much lefs (Irong wherever they had to re- 
fitt oppofite winds. But it is proved by obfervatlons 
mftde with the grcateil Ikili and prccifion, that the 
tides are very high throughout the whole of the bay^ 
It is certain that they are higher towards the bottoni^ 
than even at the very mouth of the bay, or at lead in 
the neighbourhood of it. It is proved, that even this- 
height iucreafes whenever the wiud bows from a cor- 
ner oppoHce to tJie ilreioUt It is tbeicfuie certain, 
that Hudi'on'bbay has i coaimunicatioft ^ith the ocean^. 
bolides that which has been already found out. 

1 hofe who have endeavoured to ex^)lain ihefe very 
firiking fads, by the <uppofii,ion of a co ninuiiicaii.}Q 
of Hudlon's bay with Baffin's bay, or u'iih Da.vJss 
ftf aits, arc evideucly miflaken. They would not fcruplc 
to allow it, if they only coniidered, that the tides are. 
much lower in Diivis's ftraits^ and in BaiHu's b«iy, than> 
ia HudfonV 

Bui^ 



40 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH -' 

But if the tides in Hudfon's \nrf can come aeither 
from the Atlantic ocean^ nor fronl any other north- 
ern fea, in which they are conftantly much weaker, 
ic follows that they mufl: come from fome part in the 
ibuth fea. And this is ftill further apparent from 
another leading faft, which is, that the higheft tides 
ever obferved upon thefe coa(ls are always occaiion- 
ed by the north- weft irinds^ which blow direAly againft 
the mouth of the ftrtits. 

Having thus determined, as much as the nature of 
the fubje^ will permit, the exigence of this pafTage fo 
long and fo vainly wifhed for, the next point is to find 
cfuC in what part of the bay it is to be expedled. Every 
thing inclines us to think, that the attempts, hitherto 
made without either choice or method, ought to be 
directed towards Welcome- bay, on the wcftcrn coaft. 
Tirft, the bottom of the fea is found there at the 
depth of about eleven fathom ; which is an evident 
iign that the water comes from fome ocean, as fuch 
a tranfparency is incompatible either with the waters 
difcharged from rivers, or with melted fnow or rain. 
Secondly, the current keeps this place always free 
from ice, whilft all the reft of the bay is covered with 
it ; and their violence cannot be accounted for but 
by fuppofing them to come from fome wcftcrn fea. 
Laftly, the whales, who towards autumn always go in 
fearch of the warmeft climates, are found in great 
abundance in thefe parts towards the end of fummer ; 
which would feem to indicate, that they have a way 
of going from thence to the fouth feas, not to the 
northern ocean. 

It is probable, that the paftage is very fliort. All the 
rivers that empty themfelves into the weftern coaft of 
Hudfon's bay are fmall and (low, which feems to prove 
that they do not come from afar ; and that confe- 
quently the lands which part the two feas^ are of a 

fmall 



SBTTLEMENTS HT AMERICA. 4t 

4nalt extcDt. This arguinent is ftrengthened by thc 
bcight and regularity of the tides. Wherever there 
is DO other difference between the times of the ebb; 
and flpw, but that which is occsafioned by the retarded 
progreffion of the moon in her return to the meridian^ 
it i» a certain fign that the ocean* from whence thofq 
tid^s come is very near. If the paflage is fhort, aodl. 
not very far to the north, as every thing feems to pro^ 
mUCf we may alfo prefuroe that it is sot very difficult* 
The rapidity of the currenes obiervable in thefe lati<» 
tudcSf which do not allow any cakes of ice to conti«- 
Bue in them, cannot but give fome weight to- this con«- 
jeAurc. 

The di(coverics that ftill' remain to be made are or 
fi> much importaocci that it would be folly to give* 
them up* If the paiTage fo long fought for, were once 
found, communications would be opened between* 
parts of the globe which hitheito fecm to have beea« 
feparated by nature from each other. They would 
foon be extended to the continent of the fouth feas, 
and to all the numerous iflands fcauered upon that 
hnmenfe ocean. The incercourfe which has fubiiftcd 
nearly for three centuries between the commercial^- 
nations of Europe and the mod remote part» of India,. 
being happily freed from the inconveniences of a long: 
navigation^ would be much brifker, more conflant,. 
and more advantageous. It i^ not to be doubted that: 
the Englifti would be de(ir(tus of fecuring an exclulivc- 
f njuyment of the fruits of their activity and expences. 
This wifh would certainly be very natural^ and would 
be very powerfully fupported. But as the advantages- 
obtained would be of fuch » nature, that it would be: 
impoffible always to preferve the fole poiltffion of ic,. 
we may venture to foretell, that all nations muft irv 
lime become partakers of it with them.. Whenever 
riii».bappcnsi. both the ftraits of Mag^a and Cape: 



42 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

Horn will be entirely defertedy and the Cape of Good 
Hope much left frequented. Whatever the confe- 
quences of the difcovery may be, it is equally for the 
intereft and dignity of Great Britain to purfue her at« 
tempts, till they arc either crowned with fuccefs, or 
the impoffibility ofTucceeding is fully demonftrated. 
The reiblution (he has already taken in 1745 of pro- 
snifing a conOderable reward to the feamen who (hall 
make this important difcovery, though it be an equal 
proof of the wifdom and generofity of her councils, 
is not alone fufiicient to attain the end fuppofed. 
The Englifli miniftry cannot be ignorant, that all the 
cfibrts made cither by government, or individuals^ 
will prove abortive, till fuch time as the trade to 
Hudfon's bay (hall be entirely free. The company in 
^ohofe hands it has been ever fince 1670, not content 
with ncglefting the chief objcft of its inftitution, hf 
taking no ftcps itfcif for the difcovery of the North* 
veft paffage, has thrown every impediment in the way 
«f thofc who from love of fame, or other motives, 
have been prompted to this great undertaking. Noth- 
ing can ever alter this iniquitous fpirit^ for it is the very 
fpirit of monopoly. 

CHAP IL 

Of Newfoundland. 

I. Defcription* 

HAPPILY the exclufive privilege which prevails 
at Hudfon's bay, and feems 10 exclude all 
nations from the meafis of acquiring knowledge and 
riches, docs not extend its opprcfiiun to Newfound- 
land. This ifland, fituaied between 46 and 5 2 degrees 
of north latitude, is feparated from the coal^ of 
Labrador only by a channel 6f moderate breadth, 

knowa 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 47 

known by the name of Belleifle Straits. It is of a 
triangular form, and a little more than three hundred 
leagues in circumference. We. can only fpeak by con-* 
jefture of the inland parts of it, from the difficulty of 
penetrating far into it, and the apparent inutility of 
facceeding in the attempt. The little that is known 
of this (Irait is, that it is full of very fteep rocks, 
mountains covered with bad wood, and fome very 
narrow and fandy valleys. 1 hefe inacceffible places 
are ftocked with deer, which multiply with che greater 
eafe, from the fecurity of their fituation. No lavages 
have ever been feen there except fome Efquimaux, 
who come over from the continent in the hunting 
ieafon. The coaft abounds with creeks, roads, and 
harbours ; is fometimes covered with moTs, but more 
commonly with fmall pebbles, which feem as if they 
had been placed there with defign, for the purpofe 
of drying the fifli caught in the neighbourhood. In 
all the open places, where the flat (lones reflect the 
fun's rays, the heat is exceffive. The reft of the 
country is iotenfely cold ; lefs fo, however, from its 
fituation, than from the heights, the foreih, the winds, 
and above all, the vaft mountarins of ice which come 
out of the northern Teas, and are (lopped on thefe 
coads. The fky towards the north and weftern parts 
is conftantly ferene ; it is much lefs fo towards the 
eaft and fouth, both of them being too near the great 
bank, which is enveloped in a perpetual fog. 

This ifland was originally difcovered in 1497, ^7 ^^^ 
Venetian Cabot, at that time in the ftrvice of Eng- 
land, who made no feitlemtnt there. It was preibmed, 
from the fcveral voyages made after this, with a view 
of examining what advantages might be derived from 
-it, that it was fit for nothing but the cod fi&ery, whici^ 
is very common in that fea. Accordingly the Engliih 
«ied tofcadouc atfirft fmall vciiels in the fpring, 

whid^ 



44 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

which returned again in aitfamn with their freight o^ 
£{h hoth fait and frefh. The confumption of this ar- 
ticle became aknoft univerfal, and there waa a great? 
demand for it particularly among the Romaa Catholics.* 
The Engli(h availed themfelves of this fuperflition, 
to enrich themselves at the ezpence of theclergjr, whop 
had formerly drawn their wealth from England i and» 
thought of forming fettlements there. The firft, that 
were c ftabliihed at great intervals from one another^ 
were unfuccefsful, and were all forfaked foon after 
fhej were founded. The firft that acqilired any con-^ 
iiftence was in \6ct^\ the fuccefs of which raifedfuchi^ 
{jpirit of emulation^ that) within forty years, all the fpaccr 
t^tween Conception-bay and CapeRas was peopled by 
» colony amounting to above four thou (and fouls.- 
Thofe who were employed in the fiibcry, being fore* 
•d, both from gthe nature of their occupations and 
that of the foil, to live at z didiance from each otherj, 
cut paths of communication through the woods. Theic 
genera) rendezvous was at St John's ; where, in an ex^ 
cellcnt harbour, protected by two mountains at a ver^r 
fmall diil:ance from each other, and large enough to^ 
contain above two hundred ihips, they uied to meet 
with privateers from the mother country, who carri*- 
ed off the produce of their fifhery, and gave them o«» 
Iher ncceflarics in exchange for it. 
• The French did not wait for this profpcrity of the 
Englidi trade, to turn their thoughts to Newfoundland.^ 
They had for a long time frequented the fouthern parts 
of the iflmd, where the Malouins in particular came* 
every year to a place they had called the Petit Nord. 
After this ibiiie of them fixed withaut any order upi» 
on the coail from Cape Ray to Chapeau Kouge ^ and 
«t length they became numerous enough to form fbme* 
fkiog: like a towa i& the bay of Piaceotia, where ihcj 

haik 



SETFLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 45 

hid every cooTeniencc that could make their fifliery 
fucceisful. 

Before the bay is a road of about a league and a 
half io breadth; not, however fufHciently flieUered 
from the N. N. W. winds, which blow there with ex-* 
treme violence. The ftrait^which forms the entrance 
of the bay b fo confined by rocks, that only one ve(^ 
fel can enter at a time, and even that muft be towed 
in. The bay itfelf is about eighteen leagues long, and 
at the extremity of it there is an exceeding fafe har- 
bour which holds 150 (hips. NotwithAanding the 
advantage of fuch a fituation for fecuring to France 
the whole fiihery of the fouthcrn coaft of Newfound- 
landi the mini(ky of Verfailles paid very little atten- 
tion to it. It was not till 1087 that a iajall fort was 
built at the mouth of the (Irait, in which a garrifon 
was placed of about fifty men. 

1 ill this period, the inhabitants whom neceiBty had 
fixed upon this barren and favage coaft had been hap- . 
pily forgotten ; but from that time began a fyftem of 
oppreflion which continued increaOng every day from 
the rapacioufnefs of the fucceffive governors. This 
tyranny, by which the colonifts were prevented from 
acquiring that degree of competency that was necef- 
fary to enable them to purfue their labours with fuc* 
cefs| mud alfo hinder them from increaiing their num- 
bers. The French fiftiery, therefore, could never 
profper as that of the Englifli. NotwithAanding this. 
Great Britain did not forget, at the treaty of Utrecht, 
the inroads that had fo often been made upon their 
territories by their enterprizing neighbours, who fup- 
ported by the Canadians accuftomed to expeditions 
and to the fatigues of the chace, trained up in the art 
of bu(b- fighting, and exercifed in fudden attacks^ ,ha4 L' 
feveral times carried devaftation into her fettlemeuts* 
This was fufficient to induce her to demand the entire ' 

pot 



4« HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

poiTcffion of tht iflandi and the mi&fortunes of the 
times obliged the French to fubcnit to this facrifice .; 
HOC, however, without reierving to* themfelves the 
right of fi(hing not only on one part of the ifland, but 
aHo on the Great Bank, which was couiidered as be* 
longing to it. 

2 Ftjberies. 

The fi{h which makes the(e latitudes fo famous, is 
the cod. They are never above three feet long, and 
often lefs.; but there are no fifli in tlie whole ocean 
whofe mouth is fo large in probortion to their fize, or 
which are fo voracious. Broken pieces of eartheq 
ware, iron, and glafs, are often found in their bellies* 
The ilomach, indeed, does not digef^ thefe hard iub- 
Aances, as it hath long been thought \ but it hath the 
power. of -inverting itfelf, like a pockety and thusdif* 
charges whatever loads it. 

The cod fifh is found in the northern Teas of Eur- 
ope. The filhery is carried on by thirty Englilh, fixtj 
French, and 150 Dutch vedels^ one with another from 
^o to^ 1 00 tons burden. Their competitors are the Irifh 
and efpecially the Norwegians. The latter are cm- 
pioycd, before the fifhing feafon,' in colle<Sling upon 
the coail the eggs of the cod, which is a bait nectila- 
ry to catch pilchards. They fell, communihus. annis^ 
from twenty to twenty- two thoufand tons of this fifti, 
at 7 s lo- i->2d. per ton. If it could be difpoied- of, a 
great deal more would be caught ; for an able hatur- 
aKft, who has had the patience to count..the eggs of 
one fingle cod, has found 9»J44|00 of them. This 
profuiion of nature muft h\\\ be increafed at New- 
foundland, where the cod fi(h is found ia infinitely 
greater plenty, 

Thci 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 47 

Tke Bfh of Newfouodland is alfo more delicate, 
though not fp white ; but it is not an objc^ of trade 
when frefh, and only fer^es for the food of thofe who 
are employed in the fifhery. When it is falted and 
dried, or only falted^ it becomes an ofeful article to a 
great part of Europe and America. That which is 
only falted is called green cod^ and is caught upon the 
great bank. 

This flip of land is one of thofe mountains formed 
under water by the earth which the fea is continually 
-walhing away from the continent. Both its extreiqi- 
ties teroaioate fo much in a point, that it Is difficult 
to affign the iprecife extent of it ; but it is generally 
reckoned to be ,i£o. leagues long and 90 broad. To- 
wards the middle )Of it, on the European fide, is a kind 
of bay» which has been called the Ditch. Through- 
out all this fpace^ the depth of water is very different 
in ibme places ihcr^ are only five, in others above fix- 
ay fathom. The -fun fcarce ever fhews itfelf there, and 
the iky is generally covered with a thick cold fog. 
The waves are al\vays agitated, and the winds always 
impetuous around 4t, which muft be owing to the fea 
being irregularly driven forward by currents, which 
bear ibmetimes on -one f&de, fometimes on the other, 
and (Irike againft the borders, which are every where 
perpendicular, and repel them with equal violence. 
This is moft likely to be the true caufe ; becaufe on 
the bank itfelf, at fome diftance from the coafl, it is 
as quiet as in a bay, except when there happens to be 
a forced wind which comes from a greater diftance. 

From the middle of July to the letter endof Auguft 
there is no cod found either upon the great bank or 
^py of the fmall ones near it; but all the reft of the 
year the fiihery is carried on. The (hips employed in 
-it are commonly from 50 to 150 tons, and carry not 
jfiia than twelve or more than twenty- five men aboard. 

Theft 



48 • HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

Thcfe fifhermen are provided with lines; and before 
they fee to work, catch a fiHi called the caplin^ which 
is a bait for the cod. 

Previous to their entering upon the fifhery, they 
build a gallery on the outfide of the ihip^ which reach- 
es From the main mad to the ftern, and fotnetimes the 
whole length of it. This gallery is furnifhed with 
barrels, of which the top is beaten out. The fifher* 
men phce thcmfelves within thefe, and are fheltered 
from the weather by a pitched covering faftened to 
the barrels. As foon as they catch a cod, they cut out 
its tongue, and give it to one of the boys to carry to a 
perfon appointed for the purpofe, who immediately 
firikcs off the head, plucks out the liver and entrails, 
and then lets it fall thro' a fmall hatchway between 
the decks ; when another man takes it, and draws 
out the bone as far as the navel, and then lets it fink 

. through another hatchway into the hold i where it is 
ialted and ranged in piles. The perfon who falts it^ 
is attentive to leave fait enough between the rows of 
fi[h which form the piles, to prevent their touching 

' each other, and yet not to leavfc too much, as either 
cxcefs would fpoil the cod. 

In the right of nature, the fifhing upon the great 

' bank ought to have been common to all mankind : 
notwithftafiding which, thci two powers who have 

' colonies in Noth America have made very little diffi- 
culty of appropriating it to themfelves; and Spain, 
who alone cculd have any claim to it, and who from 
the number of her moilks might have pleaded the 

■ neccfiity of aflerting it, entirely gave up the matter at 
xhk ladt peace; fince which time the Englifh and 
French are the only nations who frequent thefe lati* 

' tudies. 

In 1768, France fet out 145 fliips ; the expence of 
svhich is valued at 1 k 1^43:1 /. 51. ' Thefe^vcfiels; which 

carried 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA.' 49 

carried in all 8830 tons, were manned by 1700 men ; 
who upon an average, and according to calculations 
afcercaincd by being often repeated, muft have caught 
each 700 filh ; fo that the whole of the fifhery mutt 
have produced 1,190,000. 

Thefe cod are divided into three feparate clafles ; the 
firl^ condfls in thofe which are twenty- four inches ia. 
length or upwards, the fecond comprehends thofe 
which nieafure from nineteen to twenty four, and the 
third takes in all that are under nineteen inches. 
if the fifhery has yielded, as it commonly does, two 
fifths of good fifh, two fifths of moderate fifh, 
and one fifth of bad, and if the fifh has been fold 
at the common price, which is 6 / 1 1 i. 3 ^. the 
hundred weight, the produce of the whole fifhery will 
amount to 45,937/* 10 s. The hundred weight is 
compofed of 136 cod of the firfl quality, and of 272 
of the fecond ; which two forts taken together fell for 
7/. i'js.6d the hundred. Only 136 cod are required 
to make up the hundred weight of the third clals ; but 
this hundred weight fells only for one third of the 
othcr^ and is worth only il. lis, 6. when the firfl is 
worth 7/ 17J. 6 Confequently the 1,190,000 cod. 
really caught, and reduced in this manner, make onl)!^. 
700,000 cod^ which at 6/ i is 3d. the hundred weight 
which is the mean price of three forts of fiih, will proW ;.■ 
duce only 45,937/. icj. Out of this the crew mufl rc-»' 'f 
ceive for their fhare, which is one fifth, 9,187/. lor. 
Confequently there remains only 36,75c/. profit for 
the undertakers. This is not fufficient, as will be 
eafily made evident. Flrfl, we mufl dedu^ the ex« 
pejnces of unloading ; which, for the 145 ihips, can« 
not be reckoned at leis than 380/. 12J 6d The infur* 
ance of 1 1 1,431/. 5/ at five per cent, muft amount to 
5,57 1/» 11. 3^ As much alfo mufl be dedu<Sted for 
the iotereft of the money. The value uf the fhips 
muft be eflimated at two thirds of the capiul 9LdN2^tiC^dL 
WoL. L F m^ 



5« HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

aod will therefore be 74,287/ lox* If we allow no 
more than five per cent, for the annual repair of the 
Ihips, we (hall ftill be obliged to fubtraft 3,7 1 4/. Ts-6d» 
from the profits. All thefe fums added together 
make alofsof 15,631/ 17/. 6e/. which being affefiied 
tipon a capital of 1 1 i>43i/ gs. amounts to a lofs of 
X2X. 3^. farthing per cent. 

The French miniftry muft, therefore, either abfo- 
luteiy give up the fifhery of the green cod, which is 
•conmmed in the capital, and in the northern provinces 
4K»f France, or mu(^ take ofiTthe enormous duties which 
are at prefent impofed[upon this kind of confumption. 
If they delay much longer to facrifice this infigni6«- 
cant portion of the public revenue to fo valuable a 
branch of trade, they will foon have the mortification 
to fee the revenue difappear with the trade that 
produced it. The habit of trading, the hopes of 
amendment, the averfion the traders have for felling 
their fhips and flock under prime cod ; thefe are 
the only motives that induce them flill to continue 
the cod fifhery : motives which muft certainly have 
An end \ and, if we may judge from the general 
appearance of diflatisfaAion, that end is not verj 
'j#ar off. 

The Englifh, the produce of whofe fifhery is fub« 

:' V, je£l to no tax, have not the fame reafons for giving it 

^^, up. They have alfo another advantage $ which is» 

that not coming from Europe, as their competitors do 

but only from Newfoundland or other places almofl 

as near, they can make ufe of very fmall vefiels, which 

Are eafily managed, are not much raifed above the wa* 

teri aiid where fails may be brought level with the 

^eek, lb that being little cxpofed, even to the moft 

violent winds, their work is feldom interrupted ^y the 

roughnefs of the weather. Befides, they do not, as 

lOther feamen. lofe their time in procuring baits, which 

0^c^ brJjajg ^Dji with xhcaa> Ia a word^ their lailors 

9XC 



SETrLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 51 

art more inured to the fatigues, more accuftomed to 
the cold, and more ready at the bufinefs. 

The Englifh, however, attend very little to the fi(h« 
ery of the great cod ; becaufe they have no mart for 
difpofing of it. In this branch they do not fell half 
fo much as their rivals. As their cod is prepared with 
very little care, they feldom make up a complete cargo 
of it. For fear of its fpoiling, they commonly quit 
the Great Bank, with two thirds and very often with 
not more than half their lading, which they fell to 
the Spanifli and Portuguefe, and amongft their own 
countryman. But they make themfelves amends for 
this triding exportation of the green cod, by the great 
fuperiority they have acquired in all markets for the 
dry cod. 

This branch of trade is carried on in two different 
ways. That which is called Wandering Fifhery, be« 
longs to veflels which fail every year from Europe to 
Newfoundland, at the end of March or in April. Af 
they come near the iflind, they frequently meet with 
a quantity of ice, which the northern currents puih to-* 
wards the fpuch, which is broken to pieces by repeat-* 
ed fhocks, and melts fooner or later at the return of 
the he its. Thefe cakes of ice arc frequently a le.<gue 
in circurnference ; they are as high as the lohieflr 
mountains, and reach to above fixty or eighty fathom* 
uader water. When they are joined to leflcr pieces^ 
they fometimes occupy a fpace of a hundred lea^ef 
jn length, and twenty-dve or thirty in breath. Intere/t 
%vhich obliges the mariners to come to their landings 
fis foqn as poflible, that they may chufe the harbours 
moft favourable to the fifhery, makes them brave the 
^gour of the feafons and of the elements, which all 
confpire againft human indudry. Neither the moft 
formidable rampart ere£^ed by military art, nor the 
.4lrea4ful caoooade of a beiieg.ed towxi^ oor the terorar 

of 



5» HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

of the moft Ikilful and obflinate fea- fight, require fo 
much intrepidity and experience to encounter^ as do 
thcfe enormous floating bulwarks which the fea op- 
pofes to thefe ftnall fleets of fifhcrmen. But the moft 
infaiiable of all paflions, the thirft of gold, furmounrs 
every obOacle, and carries the mariner acrofs thcfc 
mountains of ice to the fpot where the fhips are to 
take in their lading. 

The firll thing to be done after landing is to cut 
wood and erecl icaftblds. Thcfe labours employ every 
body. When they are finifhed, the company divide : 
one half of the crew flays afhore to cure the fifli ; 
and the other goes onboard in fmall boats, with three 
men in thofe which are intended for the the fifhery 
of the caplin, and four for the cod. Thcfe laft, which 
are the moft nutherous, fail before it is light, gene- 
rally at the diftance of three, four, or five leagues 
from the coaft, and return in the evening to the fcaf^ 
folds near the fea fide, where they depofitc the pro- 
duce of the day. 

When one man has taken oS^ the cod*s head, and 
emptied the body, he gives it to another, who fHices it 
and puts it in fait, where it is left ti4i it is quite dry. 
It is then heaped up in piles, and left for fome days 
to exfude. It is then again laid on the flrand, where 
it continues drying, and takes the colour we fee it 
have in Europe. 

*'!rherc are no fatigues, whatever, to be compared 
with the labours of this fifhery, which hardly leave 
thofe who work at it, four hours reft in the night. 
Happily, the falubrity of the climate keeps up the 
bealth of the people againft fuch fevere trials ; and 
thefe labours would be thought nothing of, if they 
were rewarded by the produce. 

But there are fome harbours where the ftrand is 
at fo great a diftance from the feai that a great ded 

of 



SETTLEMENTS IK AMEfllCA. sy 

of ttme is loft in getdog to them ; and others, in whicb 
the bottom is of folid rocki and without varech, for 
that the BOk do not frequent thefn. There ai;e other* 
again, where the fifh grow yellow from a mixture of 
m(h water with the f^t ^ and fbme, in which it i> 
burned up by the reverberation of the fuoV rays re^^ 
1k€ked from the mountains. Even m the moft fav* 
ourable harbours, the people are not always fure of sn- 
fuccefiful fifhery. The fifh cannot abound cij^Uill/ 
in all parts ; it is ibmetimes found to the north, iome-^ 
times to the fomh, and at other times in the middle 
of the coaft, according as it is driven by the winds or 
attraAed by the caplior The fi(hermen» who happen 
to fix at a diftance from the places which the fi(h may^ 
chufe to frequent, are very unfortunate r for their ex-^ 
pences are all thrown away by the impoiEbility of foI«- 
lowing the fiih with all that is requilite for the fifhery* 

The fi(hery ends about the beginning of September^ 
Ikcaufe at that time the fun i» no longer powerful 
enough to dry the fifh j but when it has been Aiccefi?- 
ful, the managers give over be&>re that time, and 
make the beft of their way either to the Caribbees^ 
or to the Roman Catholic ilates in Europe, that they^ 
aaay not be deprived of the advantages of the firft: 
varket, which mij^ht be loft by an over ftock« 

In 176)^, France fent out in this trade 1 14 vefllls^ 
carrying in all 15^,590 tons; the prime coft of whichf 
togeiher with the firft expencesiof ietting. out^ had' 
amounted to 247,668/. i^j^ The united erews> half 
af which were employed in taking the fifhv and the 
•thcr half in curing Jt, confiftedof 8022 mem^ Every 
fifherman muft have taken for hls^ (hare 6000 cod^ 
and confequently the produce of the whole mufl: 
&ave been 24,066,000 cod. Experience ihew» that;: 
there are 125 cod to each qpintaL Confeqjiientlyr 
S4,«6^oo m^ have made i62jj^2S q^iimals.- E^chx 

V3> ^luotfli 



54 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

• quintal upon an average fold at about 141. $d. whidh- 
' makes for the whole fale 138,875 / 1 7 j 2 3-4 d. As 
.' every hundred quintal of cod yields one barrel of oil, 
' i^z^^iS quintals muft have yielded 1925 barrels, 

■ "which at 5 /. 5 X. a barrel, makci 10, 106 /. 5 s. Add 
to thefe', the profits of freight made by the (hips in 

■ returning home from the ports where they fold their 
" cargoes, which are cftimated at 8662/. tos and the 

total profits of the fifliery will not be found to have 
amounted to more than 157,644 /. 1 2 x. 2. 3-4 ^. 
We may fpare our readers a detail of the expences 

• of unloading, which are as troublefome in their mi- 
iiutenefs as in their infignificancy. The calculations 
of thefe have been made with the greatefi care and 
attention, and ihe accounts confirmed by very intel- 
ligent and difinterefted mcn^ who from their profef- 
£ons mufi have been the proper judges of this matter. 
They amount in the whole» to 30,436/. 10 x gd. fo 
that the nett produce of the fifhery amounted only to 
127, 208/. I I X. 3. f-2i 

From thefe profits the infurance- money muft be 
dedudled, which at 6 per cent, upon a capital of 
247^668 /. 15 X. amounts 10.14,860/. 2 x. 6d. We 

• muft alfo reckon the intereft of the money 5 making, 
at 5 per cent. 12,383/. 8x 9^. Neither muft we 
omit the wear of the fliips ; the prime coft of which, 
making half the whole capital, muft be fct down at 
123, 8 ji^/. 7 X. 6d. Ibis wear therefore, which can- 
not be reckoned at lefs than 6 per cent muft amount 
to 6 19 1 /. 14X. 4. 1-2 d» Admitting all thtfe circum- 
ftancts, which indeed cannot be called in queiMon, 
5t follows that the French have loft uptm this tifhtry, 
jn i7^>8, 30,061/. IX. }id and confequenily loj 7 3'-iSJ. 
per cent, of their capital. 

Such lofTes, which unfortunately have been but tbo 
' often repeated^ will wean the zMtioa.more and mc^re 

froia- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMfiRICA. $5 

. from this ruinous branch of trade. Individuals who 
ftill carry it on, will foon give it up ; and it is even 
probable, that, in imitation of the PInglith, they would 
have done fo already, if like them they had been able 
to make themfelves amends by the ilationary fifhery. 

By Stationary Ftfhcry, we are to undei (land that 
which is made by the Europeans who have fertlements 
on thofe coa(ls of America where the cod is mofi: 
plentiful. It is infinitely more pro li table than the 
wandering fi(hery, becaufe it requires much lefs ex<- 
pence, and may be continued much longer, lliele 
advantages the French enjoyed as long as they re- 
mained peaceable pofleiTors of Acadia, Cape Breton, 
Canada, and part of Newfoundland. They have lo^l 
them one after another by the errors of government 5 
and, from the wreck of thefe riches, have only pre- 
ferved a right of falting and drying their fifh to the 
north of Newfoundland, from cape Bona Vifta to 
Point Rich. All the fixed eflablifhments kft by the 
peace of 1763, are reduced to the iiland of St Peters, 
and the two iflands of Miquelon, which they are n0t 
even at liberty to build fortifications upon. There 
are 800 inhabitants at 8t Peters, not more than one 
hundred at great Miquelon, and only one family on 
the fmaller. The flfhery, which is extremely con- 
veniont upon the two firft, is entirely impraOicable 
on the Itiler ifland ; but this laft fupplies them both 
with wood, and particularly St Peters, which had 

■ none of its own. Nature however, has made amends 
for this deficiency at .St Peters, by an excellent bar- 

• hour, which indeed is the only one in this fmall 
archipelago. In 176^, they took 24»;^9c quintals of 
cod: but this qnnniity will not much incrcafe', be- 
caufe the Englifh wot only refufe the F»-ench the ii- 

* berty of fifhing in the narrow channel whi^^ feparates 
- thefe iflaods from the foutherx^ coads o£l(^€wfoun<l« 

landj, 



S6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

landi but have even (eised fomc of the iloops whi^ 
•ttemptied it. 

This ievcricj, which is not warranted by treaty^ and 
.only maintained by force, is rendered ftiU more odi« 
ous by theextenfiveneisof their own pofieffions, whiqb 
reach to all the iflanda where the fi(h is to be found. 
Their principal fettlement is at Newfoundland, where 
there are about 8000 £nglUhy who are all employed 
in the fifhery No more than nine or ten (hips a-year 
.are fent out from ijie mother country for this pur- 
pofe ; and there are fome few more which engage in 
other articles of commerce ; but the greater part on« 
ly exchange the productions of Europe for &{h, or 
carry off the fruit of the induflry of the inhabitants* 

Before J795» the £(heries of the two rival natioi» 
where nearly equal, from their own accounts ; wlib 
this difference only, that France, on accouut of its 
population aodreligon, confumed more at home, and 
fold lefs : but fince (be has loft her poffi:ffibns in Nor|i[, 
America one year with another, the two fifheries, thJIv 
is the Sutionary and the Wandering, united, have 
not yielded more than 2i(i,9l8 quintals of dry cod ;; 
which is barely fufficient far the confumption of its: 
fouthern provinces at home, and of courfe admits o£ 
no exportation to the colonies* # 

It may be aderted, that the rival nation, on the ' 
contrary, has increafed its fiihery two thirds (Ince its^ 
con({U€ft5, making in all 65r,if5 quintals; the pro. 
fits of which valuing each qliintai a« no mpre than» 
i2# 3 ^. a difference owing to its being cured with \tfah 
care than the French (Yih, will amount to 398^807 L 
6 X. 6 d. One fourth of this b fufficient for the con- 
fumption of Great Bricain and her colonies^ confe** 
ijuently what is fold in Spain, Portugal, and all thr 
fiigar-iflands, amounts to a ftun of 299^105/. pi^ lOi' 
*-a^. jFCt»raed to the mother country either in (pecie: 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 57 

or commodities. This objeA of exportrion would 
have been Aill more coniiderable, if, when the court 
of liondon made the conqueft of Cape Breton and St. 
John*Sy they had not been lb inhuman as to drive out 
the French whom they found fettled there ; who have 
never yet been replaced, and probably never will be. 
The fame bad policy has alfo been followed in Nova 
Scotia. 



CHAP. III. 

Of Nova Scotia. 

I. The French give it up to England^ after having 
been a long time in pojfeffion 0/ it thcmjelves. 

NOvA Scotia, by which is at prefent to be un- 
derflood all the coad of 300 leagues in length 
contained between the limits of New England and the 
fouth coaft of the river St Lawrence, feemed at firft to 
have comprehended only the great traingular penin* 
fula lying nearly in the middle of this fpace. This 
peninfula, which the French called Acadia, is extreme- 
ly well (ituated for the (hips which come from the 
Caribbees to water at. It o^ers them a great number 
of excellent ports in which (hips may enter and go out 
of with all winds. There is a great quantity of cod up- 
on the coaft, and Aill more upon imall banks at the 
diftance of a few leagues. The foil, which is very 
gravellys is extremely convenient for drying the cod : 
it abounds befides with good wood, and land fit for 
feveral forts of cultivation, and extremely well fituat- 
cd for the fur trade of the neighbouring continent. 
Tho' this climate is in the temperate zone, the winters 
are long and fevere s an4. ^^7 ^^^ followed by fudden 

and 



.58 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

and exceffive heau, to which generally fucceed veiy 
thick fogs, which laft si long cirae. Theie circum- 
. fiances make this rather a diiagrc cable couatry, tho' 
it cannot be reckoned an unwholefome one* 

It was in 1604 that the French fettled in Acadia, 
four years before they had built the fmallcft hut ia 
Canada. Inftead of fixing towards the eaft of the pen- 
infula, where they would have had larger feas, an eafy 
navigation, and plenty of cod, they chofe a fmall bay 
afterwards called the French bay, which had none of 
thefe advantages. It has been faid, that they were in- 
duced by the beauty of Port- Royal', where a thoufand 
ihips may ride in fafety from every wind, where there 
is an excellent bottom, and at all times four or five 
fathom of water, and eighteen at the entrance. It js 
moil probable that the rounders of this colony were 
led to ckufe this fitUHtion, from its vicinity to the 
-countries abounding in furs, of which the exclufive 
trade had been granted to them. This conje^re is 
confirmed by the following circumftance : i hat both 
the firft monopolizers, and thofe who fuc<;eeded 
them, took the utmoft pains to divert the atiex^tion 
of their countrymen, whom rcftlciTiiers or hecetlity 
-brought into thefe regions, from the clearing of the 
woods, the breeding of cattle, .from fiiinng, nnd from 
every kind of culture ; chufing rather to engage the 
indu(iry of thefe adventurers in hunting, or in trad- 
ing with the favages. 

,The mifchiefs arifing from a falfe fy(lem of admi- 
niftration at length difcovered the fatal cffciis of ex« 
.clufive charters. It would be an infult to the truth 
and dignity of hiftory to fay that this happened in 
J^rance from any attentkin to the common rights of 
the nation, at a time when thefe rights were moft 
openly violated. This facred tie, which alone can 
iccure the iafcty of the people^ while it gives a fane* 

tioft 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. sf 

tkm to diiB power of kings, wat never known in 
France. Dot in the moft abfolute government a fpi^ 
rit of ambition Ibmetimes afieAs what in equitable and 
moderate ones is done from principles of juftice.- The 
minifters of Lewis XIV. who wiflied to make their 
mailer refpeftablei that they might rc&cfk fome dig* 
nity on themfelves, perceived that they ihould not 
fncceed without the fupport of riches ; and that a 
people to whom nature has not given any mines, can* 
not acquire wealth but by agriculture and commerce* 
Both thefe refources had been hitherto choked up in 
the colonies by the reftraints laid upon all things from 
an improper interference. Thc(e impediments were 
at laft removed ; but Acadia either knew not how, or 
was not able, to make ufe of this liberty. 

This colony was yet in. its infancy, when the fettle* 
ment which has fince become fo famous under the 
name of New« England was Br(k made in its neigh* 
bourhood. The rapid fuccefs of the cultures in this 
new colony did not much attraA the notice of the 
French. This kind of profperity did not excite any 
jealouiy between the two nations. But when they 
began to fufpeft that there was likely to be a compe* 
tition for the beaver trade and furs, they endeavoureil 
to fecure to themfelves the fole property of it ; and 
they were unfortunate enough to fucceed. 

At their firft arrival in Acadia, they had found the 
peninfula, as well as the forcfts of the neighbouring 
continent, peopled with fmall nations of favages who 
went under the general name of Abenakies. Though 
equally fond of war as other favage nations, they were, 
however* more fociable in their manners. The mif* 
fionariesi eafily infinuating themfelves amongfl them, 
had fo far inculcated their tenets, as to make enthu* 
iiafts of them. At the fame time that they taught 
them their religion, they infpired them with that hat- 
red 



db HISTORY OF THE BRITISH " 

red which they themfelves entertained for the Englifh- 
name. This fundamental article of their new worfliip, 
being that which moft exerted its influence on their 
fenfes, and the only one that favoured their paflioa. 
for war ; they adopted it with all the rage that was 
Datura! to them. They not only refufcd to make any 
exchange with the Engiifh, but alfo frequently attack- 
ed and plundered their fettlements. Their attacks 
became more frequent, more obftinate, and more re- 
gular, iince chey had chofen St Cafteins, formerly 
captain of the regiment of Carignan, for their com- 
mander ; he having fettled among them, married one 
of their women, and conformed, io every refpedt> to 
their mode of life. 

When the £ngli(h faw that all efforts either to ret 
concile the favages, or to deilroy them io their forei^s 
were ineffedlual, they fell upon Acadia, which 'thev^; 
looked upon with reafon as the only caufe of allthenS' 
calamities. Whenever the Iea(l holHlity took place: 
between the two njother countries, the pcniniula was 
attacked. Having no defence from Canada, from 
which it was too far didant, and very little fron) Port- 
royal, which was only furrounded-by a few weai^al- 
^fadoes, it was conilantly taken. It undoubtedly iSm- 
forded fome fatisfadlion to the New^Englanders to ra^ 
vage this colony, and to retard its ^rogrefs ; but fiill 
this was not fuflicient to difpel the fufpicions excited 
by a nation almo(^ more formidable by what (he is 
able to do, than by what (he. really does. Obliged aft 
they were, however unwillingly, to reftore their con** 
queft at each treaty of peace, they waited with impa- 
tience till Great Britain (hould acquire fuch a fupe- 
riority as would enable her to difpenie with this rcfti- 
tution. The end of the war on account of the Spanifh 
fucceflion brought on the decifive moment ; and the 

couxt 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. Ct 

m 

court of Vcrfailles was for ever deprived of a poflef* 
iion of which it had never known the importance* 

The ardour which the Englifh had (hewn for the 
poiTcilion of this territory did not roanifeftitfelf after- 
wards in the care they took to maintain or to improve 
it. Having built a very flight fortification at Port* 
royaly which had taken the name of Annapolis in ho« 
nour of Queen Anne, they contented themielves with 
putting a very fmali garrifon in it. The indifference 
ihewn by the government infe£ted the nation, a cir« 
cumdancc not ufual in a free country. Not more 
than five £nglifli families came over to Acadia, which 
ftill remained inhabited by the firft colonics ; who 
were only perfuaded to ftay upon a promife made 
ikem of never being compelled to bear arms againft 
their ancient country. Such was the attachment 
whicKthe French then bad for the honour of their 
countr]^*'Cheri(hed by the government, refpeded by 
foreign nations, and attached to their king by a feries 
of profperities which had rendred them illuftriousp 
and aggrandized them, they were infpired with that 
fpirit oi patriotifm which arifes from fuccefs. Thcjr 
confidered it as glorious to bear the name of French* 
men, and could not think of foregoing the title. Th» 
AcadianSi therefore, who, in fubmicting to a new yoke 
had fworn never to bear arms againft their former 
fiaadards, were called the French Neutrals. 

There were twelve or thirteen iiundred of them fet« 
tied in the capital, the reft were difperfed in the 
neighbouring country. No magiftrate was ever fet 
over them ; and they were never acquainted with the 
laws of England. No rents or taxes of any kind were 
ever exa^ed from them. Their new fbvereign feem* 
ed to have forgotten them ; and hehimfelf was a totsl 
Jftranger to them. 

Vol. L G X.Man* 



4t . HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

2. Manners rfthi French who remained fuhje6l to the 
Englijb government in Nciva Scotia. 

Hun TIN is and fifhing, which had formerly been 
<1ic delrght of the colony, and might have ftill fup- 
plicd it with fubfiftence, had no further attra6>lon for 
fimplc and quiet people, and gave way to agriculture, 
it had been edablifhed in the marfhes and the low 
lands by repelling the fea and rivers, which covered 
thcfe plains, with dikes Thefe grounds yielded Hfty 
for one at firft, and afterwards fifteen or twenty for 
one at leaft. Wheat and oats fucceeded beft in them ; 
tut they likewife produced rye, barley, and maize- 
There were alfo potatoes in great plenty, the ufc of 
which was become common. 

At the fame time the immenfe meadows were cover- 
ed with numerous docks. They computed as much 
SiS fixrv thoufahd head of horned cattle ; and mod fa- 
jnilies hnd feveral horfes» though the tillage was car- 
ried on by oxen. Ihe habitations, built all of wood, 
Iw-ere extremely convenient, and furnifhed as neatly as 
a fubuantial former's houfe in Europe. They brtd a 
great deal of pouhry of all kinds, which made a varie- 
ty in their food for the mofi; part wholefome and 
plentiful. Their common drink was beer or cyi^cr, 
to which they fometimes added rum. Ihcir ufual 
clothing was in general the produce of their own flax 
or the fleeces of their own fheep. With thefc they 
made common linens and coarfe cloths. If any of 
them had a defire for articles of greater luxury, they 
jdrew them from Annapolis or Louifbourg, and gave 
in exdiange corn, cattle, or furs. 

The neutral French had nothing clfe to give their 
ffteighbours, and made ftill fewer exchanges among 
Jthfinfelv^s^ becaufe jeacb feparate family was able and 

Jbad 



SETILEMENrS IN AMERICA. 65 

had been ufcd to provide for its own wants. Thcy^ 
therefore knew nothing of paper-currency, which wa$ 
ib common throughout the reft of North America. 
Even the fmal quantity of fpccie which had flipped 
inio the colony did not infpirc that aftivity in which 
coniillis its real value. 

Their manners were of courfe extremely fimplet 
There never was a caufe, either civil or criminal, of 
imporrance enough to be carried before the court of 
judicature eftablifted at Annopolis. Whatever little 
differences arofe from tlgnc to time among them were 
amicably adjufted by their elders. All their public a6l> 
were drawn by their paftors, who had likewife the 
keeping of their wills, for which and their religious 
fcr vices the inhabitants paid a twenty- feventh part of 
their harveft. 

Thele were always plentiful enough to afford more 
means than there were objects for generofity. Real 
mifery was entirely unknown^ and benevolence pre- 
vented the demands of povery. Every misfortune 
was relieved^ as it were, before it could be felt, without 
oQentation on the one hand, and without mcannefa 
on the other. It was in (hoi t a focicty of brethren^ 
every individual of which was equally ready to give 
and to receive what he thought the comaian right of 
mankind. 

80 perfeft a harmony naturally prevented all thofc 
connetSkious of gallantry which are fo often fatal to 
the peace of families. There never was an inftance 
hi this focicty of an unlawful commerce between the 
two iexcs. This evil was prevented by early marri- 
ages; for no one pailed his youth in a (late of celibacy. 
As foon as a young man came to the proper age, the 
community built him a houfe, broke- up tlie lands a- 
bout it, fowed them, and fupplicd them with all th; 
neceflaries of life for a twelvemonth. Here he re- 

ceivea 



64 HISTORY OF THE BRFTISH 

ceived the partner whom he had chofen, and wha 
brought him her portion in flocks. This new family 
grew and profpered like the others* In i7i]9« all 
together made a population of eighteen thoufand 
Ibuls. 

At this period Great Britain perceived of what con- 
Yequtnce the pofTcflion of Acadia might be to her 
commerce. The peace, which neceflarily left a great 
number of men without employ ment, hirnifhed an 
opportunity, by the difbanding of the troops, for 
peopling and cultivating a vaft and fertile territory. 
frhc Britifh miniftry offered particular advantages to all 
'who would go over and fettle in Acadia Every foldier, 
failor. and workman, was to have fifty acres of land 
himfelf, and ten for every perfon he carried over In 
his family. All non-commiflioned officers: were al- 
lowed eighty for themfelves, and fifty for their wives 
and children ; enfigns, 200 1 lieutenants, 3^0 ; cap* 
tains, 460 ; and all officers of a higher rank, 600 ; 
together with thirty for each of their dependents. 
The land was to be tax free for the firfl ten years and 
never to pay above one ihilling for fifty acres. He^ 
fides this, the government engaged to advance or re« 
imburfe the expences of paflage, to build houfes, to 
furniih all the neceifary indruments for fifhery or 
agriculture, and to defray the expences of fubfiflence 
for one year. Thefe encouragements determined 
three thoufand feven hundred and fifty perfons, In the 
month of may 1749, to go to America rather thaa 
run the riik of fiarving in Europe* 

The new colony was intended to form an eflabliih* 
ment to the (buth eaft of Acadia, in a place which 
the favagcs had formerly called Chebuflo, and the 
£nglifli Halifax. This fituation was preferred to fe- 
deral others where the foil washetter, for the fake of 
^fiabliihing in its neighbourhood an excellent cod fi(h« 

«7i 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. (5; 

trjf and fortifyiag one of the fineft harbours in A« 
merica. But as it was the fpot mofl favourable for 
thfi chace, the Englifh were obliged to difpuce it with. 
the Miccnac Indians, who modly frequented it. Thefe 
favages defended with obflinacy a territory they hela 
firom nature; and it was not till after very great I0& 
fcB that the Englifh drove them out frocn their pof« 
ieiCons* 

This war was not entirely finifhed, when there waf 
fome agitation difcovered among the neutral French. 
A people, whofe manners were fo iinnple, and who» 
enjoyed fuch liberty, could not but perceive that ic 
was impoffible there fhould be any fcrious though ti» 
in fettling in countries fo near to them without their 
independance being ai}e<5ted by it. To this apprehen* 
fioQ was added that of feeing their religion in dangec*- 
Their prieOs, either heated by their own enthuiiafms 
or fecretly inftigated by the governors of Canada, pcr- 
fuaded tbeo) to credit every thing they chofe to fug* 
gcft againA the Engliih, whom they called Heretics.^ 
This word, which has fo powerful an i^nSuence oa 
deluded minds, determined this happy American co- 
lony to quite their habitations and remove to New 
France, where they were offered land's. Thfs refolii* 
tion many of themexcuted immediately, without con- 
fidcring the confcqaences of it ; the reft were prepar- 
ing to follow^ as ibon as they had provided for their 
fafety. The Englifh government, either from policy 
or caprice, determined to prevent them by an a<Sl of 
treachery, always bafe and cruel in thofe to whom 
power affords milder methods* Under a pretence of 
exacting a renewal of the oath which they had taken 
at the time of their becoming Englifh fubjcdts, they^ 
affcmbled thofe together who were not gone y andl 
when they had colle^d them, immediately embarkcdl 
abccpi OS)* bond of ihipsj which tranfportcd tbem to 



€6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH , 

the other Englifh colonies, where the greater part of 
them died of grief and vexation rather than want. 

Such are the fruits to national jealouiies, of that 
rapadoufnefs inherent of all governments which in- 
ceflantly preys both upon mankind and upon land ! 
What an enemy lofes is reckoned a gain ; what he gains 
is looked upon as a lofs. When a town cannot be 
taken, iris ftarved } when it cannot be ihaintained, it 
^s burat to afhes, or its foundation rafed. Rather 
than furrender, a (hip or a fortification is blown up 
hj powder and by mines. A defpotic government fe<- 
parates its enemies from its flaves by immenfe defarts, 
to prevent the eruptions of the one and the emigratU 
ons of the other. 

Thus Spain chofe rather to make a wlldernefs of 
fcer own country, and a grave of America, than to 
divide its riches with any other of the European nati- 
ons. The Dutch have been guilty of every public and 
private crime to deprive other commercial nations of 
the fpice-trade. They have oftentimes even thrown 
>vhole cargoes into the fea, rather than they would 
fell them at a low price. France rather chofe to give 
vp Loufiana to the Spainards, than to let it fall into 
hands of the £ngli(h; and England dedroyed the 
Trench vcffels, to prevent their returning to France. 
Can we aflcrt, after this, that policy and focicty were 
inftitutcd for the happinefs of mankind? Yes, they 
were inflituted to fcrcen the wicked man, and to fe* 
cure the man in power. 



3. Prefent State df Nova Scotia. 

Since the emigration of a people who owed their 

* happinefs to their virtuous obfcurity. Nova 8cotia has 

teen but thinly inhabited. Jt feems as if the envy that 

0lcpoputated the country liad bUftt4 \x. M leaft the 



SETrLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 

panlfhinent of the injuftice falls vpon the authors of 
It ; for there is not a fingle inhabitant to be feen up- 
on all that length of coaft between the river ht. Law- 
rence and the peninfula ; nor do the rocks, the fandf^ 
and marfhesy with which it is at prefent covered^ 
snake it probahle that it ever will be peopled. The 
tod, indeed, which abounds in fome of its bays, draws 
every year a fmall number of fifhcrcnen during the 
feafon. 

There are only three fcttlements in the reft of the 
province. Annapolis, the moft ancient of them, waits 
for frefh inhabitants to take the place of the unhappy 
Frenchmen who were driven from it ; and it feems to 
promife them rich returns from the fertility of hcjr 
foil. 

Lunenburgh, the fecond fettlement, was founded a 
few years ago by 800 Germans come from Halifax. 
At firft, it did not promife much fuccefs ; but it is 
coniiderably improved by the unremitted induftry of 
that warlike and wife people, who, contented with 
defending their own territory, feldom go out of it, 
but to cultivate others which they are not ambitious 
of conquering. They have fertilized all the countries 
tinder the EogliOi dominion, wherever chance had 
conducted them. 

Halifax will always continue to be the principal 
place of the province ; an advantage It owes to the 
encouragements lavifhed upon it by the mother coun- 
try. Their expences for this fcttlemcnt from its firft 
foundation to the year 1769, amounted to more than 
39^7/. 10 J. per annum. Such favours were not ill 
beftowed upon a city, which, from its iituation, is the 
natural rendezvous of both the land and fca forces 
which Great Britain fometimes thinks herfclf obliged 
to maintain in America, as well for the defence of her 
&iherie$ aad the proccAioo of her (ug;iLr-\E^acckd&^ «^ 



t9 HISTORT OF THE BRITISH . 

for the purpofe of maintaining her conDcftions witt} 
her northern colonies. HalifaXy indeed, derives morQ 
of its fplendor from the motion and activity which it 
conHantly kept up in its ports, than either from iti; 
cuhivacioa which is trifling, or from its fifheries^ 
Khich have not been coniiJerably improved, thougl^ 
they coniiil of cod, nuckercl, and the Teal. It is not 
even in the Hare it Ihould be as a fortified town. Th^ 
malvei rations of perfons employed, whoinflead of the 
fortifications ordered and paid for by the mother 
country, have only erc<Stcd a few batteries without 
any ditch round the city, make it liable to fall without 
refinance into the hands of the 6r(k cneniy that at- 

Bcks it. In 1757, the inhabitants of the county of 
alifax rated the value of their houfes, cattle, and 
merchandife, at about 295,312/. los. This fum, 
' which makes about two thirds of the riches of the 
whole province^ has not increafed above one fourth 
iince that time. 

The defire of putting a flop to this ftate of languor 
was, probably, one of the motives which induced thf 
Britiih government to conftitute a court of admirality 
for all North America, and to place the feat of it at 
Halifax, in 1763. Before this period, the juftices of 
peace ufed to be the judges of all violations of the a£t 
of navigation ; but the partiality thefe magiflrates 
ufed to thew in their judgments for the colony wherp 
they were born, and which had chofen them, made 
their miniflry ufelcfs, and even prejudicial to the 
mother country. It was prefumed, that if enlightened 
men were fent from iiurope, and well fupported, 
they would imprefs more rtfpcd for their determina- 
tion. Ihe event has juftified this policy. Since that 
regulation, the commercial laws have beea better 
^^bferved^ but ftill great inconveniences have enfuefl 
Jrp^p tiff iii/iaacf pt i^^any pco^Uuxft Ctom the icat of 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 69 

this new tribunal* It is probable, that, to remedy 
|be(e, admioiftration will be forced to multiply the 
number of the courts, and difperfe them in places 
coavenient for the people to have accefs to them. 
Nova Scotia will then lofe the temporary advantage 
it gains from being the refort of thofe who come for 
juftice; but it will, probably, find out other natural 
fources of wealth within itfclf. it has fome, indeed, 
that are peculiar to it. The exceeding fine fiax it 
produces, of which the three kingdoms are fo much in 
want, mud haften the progrefs of its improvement. 



CHAR IV. 

Of Nb'w England. 

I. Foundation* 

^TEw England, like the mother country, has 
"^^ fignalized itfelf by many adls of violence ; and 
was actuated by the fame turbulent fpirit. It took its 
rife in troublefome times, and its infant- ftate was 
difhirbed with many dreadfiil commotions. It was 
difcovered in the beginning of the lad century, and 
called North Virginia ; but no Europeans fettled there 
till the year 1608. Ihe firll colony, which was weak 
and ill direAed, did not fucceed ; and for fome time 
after, there were only a few adventurers who came 
over at times in the fummer, built themfelves tempo* 
rary huts for the fake of trading with the favages^ 
and like them difappeared again for the red of the 
year. Fanaticifm, which had depopulated America 
to the fouth, was deAined to repopulate it in tht 
north. At length fome Engliih prefbyterians, who 
bad been drivca horn their own counirf^ %.tA\i^\ 



70 HISTCAT OF THE BRTTISH 

tzkco refuse in Hoilaod. tlu: uQircrial afjliim of 
libciTT. Ti:o'.\ed to loucd a cLurcQ for their icci m 
a oev hraaiiphcre. Ictj therefore porchafed, in 
j6ii, the charter of the EagUJi Nonh V^irginia 
C-)TiCMiiv : tor thcT vere not poor enough to wait 
iR pii!c ace till heir v.rtu^s fhould have made them 
profperous. Forty- 03e faziuics, making in all 120 
pen'ons, let out, giu^c J bj enthudaUn, whkh» whe- 
ther founded upon error or truth, is always produc- 
tive of great actions, fhe j landed at the beginning 
of a vf ry hard winter ; and found a country entirely 
cohered with wood, which o^red a very melancholy 
prolpcct to men already cxhauUcd with the fatigues 
of their journey Near one YulxX perifhed either from 
the cold, the fcurvy. or diftrcfs ; the reft were kept 
alive for 10. 'ue time by a fpirit of enihufiafm, and the 
freadinefs of chiracier thev had contracted under the 
perfccution of epifcopal tyranny. But their courage 
was beginning to fail, when it was revived by the 
arrival of bxty favage warriors, who came to them in 
the fpring, headed by their chief. Freedom feemed 
to exult that Ihe had thus broughr together from the 
exticniiiies of the world two .uch difdrent people; 
w^ho ininicdia^cly entered into a reciprocal aLianr.e of 
fricndihip and protection. 1 he oid tenants ain«>nc j 
for ever to the new ones all the lands in the neigh^ 
bourhood of the iettlecient they had formed under 
the name of New Plymouth ; and one of the fava^es^ 
who underfiood a little £ngli:h, ftaid with theai to 
teach them how to cultivate the maize, and inftrufl 
them in the manner of fiihing upon their coaft. 

This kindnefs enabled the colony to wait for the 
companions they expelled from hurope, with ffeds 
and all forts of domeftic animals. At fir ft they catn^ 
but ilowly \ but the perfccution of the puritans io 
England increafed the number of profclytcs (as is 

always 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. yt 

always the cafe) to fuch a degree in America, that, 
in 1^30, they were obliged to form different fcttle- 
ments, of which Boflon foon became the principal. 
Thefe 6rft fettlers were not merely ecciefiadics, who 
had been driven out of their preferment for their 
opinions ; nor thofe feAaries, influenced by netr 
opinions, that are fo frequent among the common 
people. There were among them fevcrai perfons of 
high rank, who having embraced puritanifm either 
from motives of caprice, ambition, or even of con- 
fcience, had taken the precaution to fecure themfelves 
an afylum in thefe diftant regions. They had caufed 
houfes to be built, and lands to be cleared, with a 
view of retiring there, if their endeavours in the 
canfe of civil and religious librrty fhould prove 
abortive. The fame fanatical fpirit that had intro« 
duccd anarchy into the mother country, kept the 
tolony in a flate of fubordination ; or rather, a fc- 
verity of manners had the fame effcA as laws in a 
favage climate. 

The inhabitants of New England lived peaceably for 
a long time without any regular form of polity. It 
Was not that their charter had not authorifed theni 
to eAablifh any mode of government they might chufe 
but thefe enthufia(ls were not agreed amongR them- 
felves upon the plan of their republic, and govern- 
ment was not fufHciently concerned about them to urge 
them to fecure their own tranquility. At length they 
grew feniible of the neceffity of a regular legiflation } 
and this great work, which virtue and genius united 
have never attempted but with diffidence, was boldly 
undertaken by blind fanaticifm. It bore the Aamp of 
the rude prejudices on which it had been formed. 

There was in this new code a Angular mixture of 
good and evil, of wifdom and folly. No man was al- 
lowed to have anyihare in the governroent| except 



71 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

he was a member of the eftablifhed church. Witch* 
craft, perjury, blafphemyy aod aduhery, were made 
capital offences ; and children were alfo punKhed with 
death, either for curfing or ftriking their parents. On 
the other hand marriages were to be folemnized by 
the magiC^rate. The price of corn was &xed at ^s. i id. 
halfpenny per buChel. The favages who neglected to 
cultivate their lands were to be deprived of them b/. 
law. Europeans were forbidden under a heavy pen* 
alty to fell them any ftrong liquors or warlike ftores« 
All thofe who were deteAed either in lying, or drunk* 
cnnefs, or dancing, were ordered to be publicly whip- 
ped. But at the fame time that amufements were for« 
bidden equally with vices and crimes, one might fwear 
by paying the penalty of a fhilling, knd break the fab* 
bath for three pounds. It wasefteemed an indulgence 
to be able to atone by money for a negleA of prayer^ 
or for uttering a ralh oath. But it is ftill more extra- 
ordinary that the worfhip of images was forbidden to 
the puritants on pain of death ; which was alfo in* 
fliAed on Roman Catholic priefts who fhould return 
to the colony after they had been banifhed, and oa 
Quakers who fhould appear again after having been 
whipped, branded and expelled. Such was the abhor* 
rence of thefe feftariesi who had themfelves an aver* 
fion for every kind of cruelty, that whoever either 
brought 0]?e of them into the country, or harboured 
him but for one hour, was expoled to pay a coniider* 
• able iine« 

2 Fanatici/m occafions great cmlamitiis there. 

Those unfortunate members of the colony, who, 
lefs violent than their brethren, ventured to deny the 
coercive power of the magiflrate in matters of religl- 
M>u, were perfecuted with itiil gr^cr rigour* This ap- 
peared 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 73 

peared a blafphcmy to thofe divines who had rather 
chofen to quite their country than to fhcw any defer-* 
encc to cpilcopal authority. By that natural tendency of 
the human heart from the love of independance to that 
tyranny, they changed their opinions as they changed 
the climate ; and only feemed to arrogate freedom of 
thought to therafelves in order to deny it to others. 
This fyftem was fupported by the feverities of the la w, 
which, attempted to put a ftop to every difference in 
opinion, by impofing capital punifhment on all who 
difieoted. Whoever was cither convifted, or evea 
fufpe^ed, of entertaining fentiments of toleration, was 
cxpofed to fuch cruel oppreilions that they were forc- 
ed to fly from their firft afylum, and feek refuge ia 
another* They found one on the fame continent i 
md as New England had been firfl founded by per- 
fecutiooi its limits were extended by it. This feveritf 
which a man turns again(V him(elf, or againfl his fel- 
low-creatures» and makes him either the vidlim or the 
oppreiTor, foon exerted itfelf againft the Quakers. 
They were whipped, banilhed, and impriioned. The 
proud iimplicity of thefe new enthudafts, who in the 
aiidft of tortures and ignominy praifcd God, and call- 
ed for bleffings upon men, infpircd a reverence for 
their perfons and opinions, and gained them a num- 
ber of profclytes. This circumftence exafperated their 
perfecutors, and hurried them on to the moil atroci- 
ous ads of violence; and they caufed £ve of them^ 
who had returned clande(^inely from banifhment, to 
be hanged. It feemed as if the Englifh had come to 
America to excrcife upon their own countrymen the 
fame cruelty the Spaniards had ufed againft the Indi- 
ans- 1 his fpirit of perfecution was at laft (upprefied 
by the iaterpofition of the mother country, from 
whence it had been brought. 
1 V01..JL a CromweS 



74 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

Cromwell was no more: enthufiafm, hypocrify* 
and fanaticifm, which compofed his chara<E^cr \ fadli- 
ons, rebellions, and profcriptioos ; were all buried 
with him, and England had the profpcft of calmer 
days. Charles the fecond, at his reftoration, had in- 
troduced amongft his fubje^ls a focial turn, a tafte 
for convivial pleafures, gallantry, and diverfions, and 
for all thofe amufements he had been engaged in while 
lie was wandering from one court to another in £ur- 
■ope, to recover the crown which his father had loft 
Dpon a fcaffbld. Nothing but fuch a total change of 
' manners ceuld poffibly have fecured the tranquillity 
<of his government upon a throne marked with 
blood. He was one of thofe voluptuaries, whom the 
love of fenfual pleafures fometimes excites to fenti« 
xnents of companion and humanity. Moved with the 
■fuflerings of the Quakers, he put a (lop to them by a 
proclamation in 1661: but he was never able totally 
10 extinguifh the fpirit of perfecution that prevailed 
in America. 

The colony had placed at their head Henry Vane, 
the fon of that bir Henry Vane, who had fuch a 
j'emaikable fhare in the diflurbances of his country. 
This obftinate and enthufiaftic young man, in every 
thing refembling his father, unable either to live 
peaceably himfelf, or to fufFcr others to remain 
4^uiet, had contrived to revive the obfcure and ob(<>- 
letc qucftions of grace and free will. The difputes 
*ipon thefe points ran very high ; and would, pro- 
bably, have plunged the colony into a civil war, if 
feveral of the favage nations united had not happened 
at that very time to fall upon the plantations of the 
<:rifpmanrs, and to maflncre great numbers of them. 
The colonics, heated wiih their theological contefls, 
paid at Grd very little attention to this confiderable 
jfo/s, Btit the danger at lenfpYv V>ec2LVC\^ fo wr^ent and 
Mb j^ucralj that all took up atsTiS* £v&lv;i^\i -a^^t. 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. j$ 

eoemj was repnlfed, the colony rcAimed its former 
diilentions ; and the frenzy which they excicedi broke 
out| ia 1692, in a war, marked with as many atroci- 
ous indances of violence as any ever recorded in hif« 
tory. 

There lived in a town of New England , called Sa« 
lem, two young women who were fubjeA to convul- 
iions, accompanied with extraordinary fympcoais» 
Their father, minii^er of the church, thought that 
they were bewitched ; and having in confequence cafl: 
his fufpicions upon an Indian girl who lived in his 
houfe, he compelled her by harOi treatment to con?- 
fefs that (he was a witch. Other women, upon hear- 
ing this, feduced by the pleafure of exciting the pub- 
lic attention, immediately believed that the convulsions 
which proceeded only from the nature of their fex» 
were owing to the fame caufe. Three citizens, pitched 
upon by chance, were immediately thrown into prifon, 
accufed of witchcraft, hanged, and their bodies left 
cxpofed to wild beads and birds of prey. A few day« 
after, fixteen other perfons, together with a counfel- 
lor, who, becaufe he refufed to plead againd them, 
was fuppofed to fhare in their guilt, fuffercd in the 
fame manner. From this inllant, the imagination of 
the multitude was inflamed with thcfe horrid and 
gloomy fccncs. The innocence of youth, the iniir- 
«iities of age, virgin modefty, fortune, honour, vir- 
tue, the moll digailkd employments 'cyf the ftare, 
fXitbing was fufficient to exempt from the (ufpiclons 
of a people infatuated wiih vifion.iry fuperflition. 
Children often years of age were put to de.uh ; young 
girls were dripped n<iked, and the marks oF witch-- 
crafi fearched for upon their bodies .with the moll 
indecent curiofily ; thofc fpots of the fcurvy which 
■•gc impreflcs upon the bodies of old men^ were wk^^a 
tor t^hieat ligns of the infernal power. ¥3L\imc\'^w\^ 



76 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

wickednefs, and yengeaDce, united, felefted out their 
viAims with pleafure. In default of witnefies, tor- 
ments were employed to extort confef&ons dilated 
by the executioners themfelves. If the magiftrates, 
tired out with executionS| refufed to punilh^ they 
^ere themfelves accufed of the crimes they would no 
longer purfue ; the very miniflers of religion raifed 
falfe witneflts againO thtm, who made them forfeit 
with their lives the tardy remorfe excited in them by 
Jiumanity. Dreams, appiritions, terror and confterna- 
tion of every kind, increafed thcfe prodigies of foUy 
and horror. The prifons were filled, the gibbets left 
ilanding, and all the citizens involved in gloomy ap<- 
prchenfions. The moft prudent perfons quitted a 
country imbrued with the blood of its inhabitants ; 
and thofe that remained fought for nothing but reft 
Sn the grave. In a word, nothing lefs than the total 
and immediate fubverfion of the colony was expelled ; 
when on a fudden, in the height of the ilorm, the 
•\rsLV ts fubfided, and a calm cnfued. All eyes weie 
cpened at once, and the excefs of the evil awakened 
the minds which it had at firft ftupified. Bitter and 
painful remorfe was the immediate confequence ; the 
mercy of God was implored by a general faft, and 
public prayers were offered up to a& forgivenefs for 
the prefumption of having fuppofed that heaven could 
have been pleafed with facrifices with which it could 
only have been offended. 

Pofterity will probably never know exadlj what was 
the caufe or remedy of this dreadful diforder It had 
perhaps, its firff origin in the melancholy which thefe 
perfecuted enthufiaffs had brought with them from 
their own country, which had increafed with the 
icurvy they had contracted at fea, and which had ga* 
thered freih ftrength from the vapours and exhalat^ 
^ski of a foil newly broken up, as well as from die in- 



rnn. 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERIGA, rt 

convenieoces and hard (hips iafperable from a cHange 
of climate and manner of living. The contagion^ 
iiowever, ceafed like all other epidemical dillcmpers, 
exhauded by its very communication ; as all the dif- 
orders of the imagination are difpelled in the tranfports 
of a delirium. A perfe£b calm fuceeded this agitati- 
on ; and the puritans of new England have nevec 
fince been feized with fo gloomy a fit of enthufiafnu 

3* Government y Populuthn^ Cultures^ ManufaSiures^ 
Trade, and Navigation, qf New England, 

This colony, bounded to the north by Canada, to> 
the weft by New- York, and to the eaft and fouth by 
Nova Scotia and the ocean, extends full three huod- 
Fed miles on the borders of the fea, and upwards of 
fifty miles in the inland parts. 

llie clearing of the lands is not done by chance as^ 
in the other provinces. From the firft they were fulv- 
je<fted to laws which are ftill rcligioufly obfervcd. No' 
citizen whatever has the liberty of fettling even upQii< 
unoccupied land. The government, which was dedr-- 
oiis of prcferving all v% members from the inroads of 
the favages, and that they Ihould be at hand' to par- 
take of the fuccours of a well regulated fociety, hath 
ordered that whole villages Ihould be formed at once. 
As foon as fixty families o^r to build a> cfhurch,. 
maintain a clergyman^ and pay a: fchool-maftcr, i\\Q 
general congrei's allot them a iituation, and permit 
them to have two reprefentatives in the legiflative 
body of the colohy. The diftriA affigned them al- 
ways borders upon the lands already cleared, and ge- 
nerally contains fix thoufand fquare acres. Thefe-* 
new people chufe out the fpot mod convenient for 
their refpedlive habitations, and itisufually of a iquare^ 
figure. The church is placed in the centre ;; .aqd^ the: 

Uj -* qoloniflg 



58 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

coloniAs dividing the land among tbemfelves, each in^ 
clofes his property with a hedge. Some woods are 
referved for a common. It is thus that New-£ng» 
land is continually aggrandizing itfelf, without diicon- 
tinuing to make one complete and well conftitmed 
province. 

Though the colony is fituated in the mid ft of the 
temperate zone, yet the climate is not fo mild as that 
of fome European provinces which are .under the 
fame parallel. The winters are longer, and more cold; 
the fummers ihorter and more hot. The £ky is com- 
monly clear, and the rains more plentiful than lading. 
The air has grown purer fince its circulation has been 
made free by cutting down the woods ; and malignant 
vapours, which at firft carried off fome of the inhabi- 
tants, are no longer complained of. 

The country is divided into four provinces, which 
in the beginning had no connexion with one another. 
The neceifity of maintaining an armed force againfl 
the favages obliged them to form a confedracy in 1643, 
at which time they took the name of the United Co- 
lonics. In confequence of this league, two deputies 
from each efiajblifhmenc ufed to meet in a Oatcd place 
TO deliberate upon the common affairs of New* Eng- 
land, according to the inftru6tions they had received 
from the aflembly by which they were feni. This af- 
fociation controulcd in no obe point the right which 
every individual had of ailing entirely as he pleafed, 
without cither the pcrmiffion or approbation of the 
xnothcr country. All the fubmiflion of thcfe provinces 
conCficd in a vague acknowledgment of the kings ot 
Britain for their fovcreigns. 

So flight a dependence difpleafed Charles II. The 
province of Maflachufet's bay, which, though the 
fmallefl:, was the richeft and the mo(t populous of 
tbe fouTj being guilty of fome mifdemeaoour agaiiift 

govcrxH 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 79 

government, the kiog feized that opportuDity of tak* 
ing away its charter in 1 684 ; and it remained with* 
out one till the revolution ; when it received another, 
which, however, did not anfwer its claims or expec- 
tations. The crown refer ved to itfelf the right of 
nominating the governor, and appointing to all mili- 
tary employments, and to all principal pods in the 
civil and juridical departments : allowing the people 
of the colony their legiflative power, they gave the 
governor a negative voice and the command of the 
troops, which fecured him a fufHcient influence to 
enable him to maintain the prerogative of the mother 
country in all Its force. The provinces of Conne^li- 
cut and Rhode-Ifland, by timely fubmifllon^ prevented 
the punifhmept that of Maflachufet had incurred, and 
retained their original charter. That of New-Hamp* 
fhire had been always regulated by the fame mode of 
ad m in ift ration as the province of Mafia chufet's bay. 
The- fame governor pre^des over the whole colony, 
but with regulations adapted to the conAicution of 
each province* According to the moil cxa£t calcu- 
lations, the prefent population of New-Jtngland is 
computed at four hundred thoufand inhabitants, 
which are moie numerous to the fouth than to the 
north of the colony, where the foil is lefs fertile. 
Among fuch a number of citizens, there are few pro- 
prietors wealthy e.nough to leave the care of their 
plantations to Aewards or farmers : mod of them are 
planters in eafy circumilances, who live upon their 
eilates and are buficd in the labours of the Beld. This 
equality of fortune, joined to the religious principles 
and to the nature of the government, gives this people 
.a more rcpublicm call than is to be obfcrved in the 
other colonies. 

None of our beft fruits have degenerated in New- 
Englaad i kk even faid^ that the apple is improved, 

at 



«o HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

«t leafl: it has multiplied exceed inglf, and made cyder 
a more common drink than in anj other part of the 
<«irorld. All our roots and garden-ftuff have had the 
fame fuccefs ; but the feeds have not thriven quite fo 
veil. Wheat is apt to be blighted, barley graws dry, 
and oats yield more ftravr than grain. In default of 
•thefe the maize, which is ufually confumed in making, 
beer, is the refource of the common people. There 
are large and fruitful meadows, which are covered 
^ith numerous flocks. 

The arts, though carried to a greater degree of 
perfe£lion in this colony than in any of the others^ 
have not made near the lame progrefs as agriculture. 
There are not more than four or five manufatSlures* 
•of any importance. 

The fkrCt which was formed, was that for building: 
of (liips. It maintained for a long time a degree of 
•reputation. The veiTels out of this dock were in grear 
^eftimation, the materials of which they wereconilruc- 
ted being found much lefs porous, and much lefs apt 
to fplit than thofe of the more fouthern provinces. 
8incc 1730, the numbers of them are confiderably 
diminilhcd, bccaufc the woods for building have been 
little attended to, and ufed for other purpofes. To- 
prevent this inconvenience, it was propofed to forbid 
the cutting of any of them within ten miles of the 
fea ; and we know not for what rcafon this law, the 
ncccflity of which was fo evident, was never put in 
force. The diftilling of rum has fuccccded better 
than the building of Ihips. It was begun from the 
facility the New. Enghndtrs had of importing large 
quantities of molalics from the Carlbees. The molafles 
were at Bvi\ ufed in kind for various purpofes* By 
degrees they learnt to didil them. When made into 
rum, they iupplied.the neighbouring favages with it, 
Hfi the Newiouodlaad filhermen did ihc other noi> 

them 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. «i 

them provinces, and failors who frequented the coaft 
of Africa. The degree of imperfe^ion in which this 
art hath (lill remained in the colony, has not dimi- 
niihed the fale of it ; becaufe they have always been 
able to afford the rum at a very low price. 

The fame reafon has both fupported and iacreafed 
the manufa^ure of hats. Though Hmited by the re- 
gulations of the mother country to the internal con« 
fumption of the colony, the merchants hkve found 
means to furmount thefe obftacles, and to fmugglc 
pretty large quantities of them into the neighbouring 
fettlements. 

The colony fells no cloths, but it buys very fewt 
The fleeces of its flocks, as long, tho' not quite fo 
fine, as the EngliOi ones, make coarfe Aufis, which 
do extremely well for plain men who live in the 
country. ' 

Some Prefbyterians who were driven from the 
north of Ireland by the perfecutions either of the 
government or of the clergy, firfl: taught the New 
jLngianders to cultivate hemp and flax, and to manu- 
facture them. The linens made of them are fince 
become one of the great refources of the colony* 

I'he mother country, whofe political calculations 
have not always coincided with the high opinion enter- 
tained of her abilities, has omitted nothing to thwart 
thefe feveral manufa^ures. She did not perceive, 
that, by this oppreflive condudt of the goverment^ 
thofe of her fubjedts who were employed in clearing 
this condderable part of the new world mufl be re- 
duced to the ahernative either of abandoning fo good 
a country, or procuring from among themfelves the 
things of general ufe and of immediate neceffity. In- 
deed; even thefe refources would not have been fuf- 
ficient to maintain them, if they had not had the good 
fortune and the addrefs to open to themfelves feveral 

other 



tt HISTORY OF THE BRITISH • 

other channels of fubfiftencc, the origin and progreft 
of which' wc moft endeavour to trace* 

The firft refource they met with from without, 
was in the fifhery. It has been encouraged to Aich a 
degree^ that a regulation has taken place, by which 
every family who (hould declare that it had lived up- 
on fait' fi(h for two days in the week for a whole year, 
fhould be difburdencd of part of their tax. Thus 
commercial views enjoin abllinence from meat to the 
protedants, in the fame manner as religion prefcribes 
it to the catholics. 

Mackerel is caught only in the fpring at the mouth 
of the Pentagouet, a considerable river which empties 
itfelf in Fundy bay, towards the extremity of the co- 
lony. In the very center of the coaH*, and near Bof- 
ron, the cod- fifh is always in fuch plenty, that Cape 
Cod, notwithiianding the fertility of its foil, is one 
of the moft populous parts of the country. Not con- 
tent, however, with the fifh caught in its own latitudes 
New England fends every year about two hundred 
veflels, from thirty- five to forty tons each to the great 
bank, to Newfoundland, and to Cape Breton, which. 
commonly make three voyages a feafbti, and bring 
back at lea ft a hundred tboufand quintals of cod. 
B.-^fides, there are larger vefle's which fail from the 
fame ports, and exchange provifions for the product 
of the fiflicry of thofe tnglifh who arc fettled in thefe 
frozen and barren regions. All this cod is after- 
wards dlftributed in the fouthern parts of Europe and 
America. 

This is not the only article with which the Britifh 
iflands in the new iforld are fupplied by new England. 
It furnifties them, befides, horfes, oxen, hogs, fak 
meat, butter, tallow, chccfe, flour, bifcuit, Indian corn 
peafe» fru'ts, cyder, hemp, flax, and woods of all kinds. 
The fame commodities pafs into the iflands belonging 

t» 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. «j 

to the other nations* fometlmes openlyi fometiines bj 
fmuggling, but always in leiier quantities during peace 
than in time of war. Honduras, Surinam, and other 
parts of the American continent open fimilar markets 
to New England. This province alfo fetches wines 
and brandies from the Madeiras and the Azores, and 
pays for them with cod-fifh and corn. 

The ports of Italy Spain, and Portugal, receive 
annually (ixty or feventy of their fhips. They come 
there laden with cod, wood for fhip-building, naval 
(lores, corn, and fi(h-oii ; many of them return with 
olive-oil, fait, wine, and money, immediately to New 
England, where they land their cargoes clandeHinely. 
By this method, th^y elude the cuCloms they would 
be obliged to pay in Great Britain, if they went there, 
as in purfuance of a pofitive order they ought to do. 
The (hips which do not return to tbcir original port, 
are fold in thofe where they difpofe of their cargo. 
They have frequently no particular addrefs, but are 
freighted indifferently for every merchant and every 
port, till they meet with a proper purchafer. 

The mother country receives from this colony, 
yards and mads for the royal navy, planks, pot-aihes, 
pitch, tar, turpentine, a few furs, and in years of 
icarcity, fome corn. Thcfe cargoes come home in 
Ihips built by her own merchants, or bought by them 
of privateers, who build upon fpeculation. 

Befides the trade New England makes of her own 
produftions, fhe has appropriated great part of the 
conveying trade between North and South America, 
in confequence of which the New Englanders arc 
looked upon as the brokers or Hollanders of that 
part of the world. 

Notwithdanding this lively and contiued exertion. 
New England has never yet been able to free herfeif 
fsom deb£. She has never been able to pay exaA'y for 

what 



HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

what fhe received from the mother country, either hi 
produAions of her own or of foreign induftry, or in 
thofe from the £a(l->Indiea ; all which articles of trade 
amount annually to 393t75o/. 

She has ftill, however, trade enough to keep fix 
thoufand failors in conftant employment. Her marine 
confids of five hundred large vefiels^ which carry all 
together forty thoufand tons burden } betides great 
number of fmaller vefi[els for fiOiing and for the coaft« 
ing trade, which come out indififerently from all the 
open roads which are fpread all over the coaft. AU 
jmoft all of them load and unload at Bofton. 

Boston, the capital of New England, is fituated 
in a peninfula, about four miles long, at the bottoift 
of the fine bay or Mafiachufet, which reaches about 
eight miles within land* The opening of the bay Is 
ihcltered from the impctuofity of the waves by anum* 
ber of rocks which rife above the water ; and by a 
dozen of fniall iflands, the greater part of which are 
fruitful and inhabited. Thefc dykes and natural ram- 
parts will not allow more than three (hips to come in 
together. At the end of the laft century, a regular 
citadel, Named Fort William, was erected in one of 
the iilands upon this narrow channel. There are one 
hundred pieces of cannon, carrying forty- two poun- 
ders each, upon it, which are difpoTed in fuch a man- 
ner, that they can batter a (hip fore and aft before it is 
poflible for her to bring her guns to bear. A league 
further on, there is a very high light- houfe, the fig- 
nals from which, in cafe of in va lion, are perceived 
snd repeated by the fortrefl[cs along the whole coaft ; 
St the fame time that Boftonhasherown light hoiifes, 
• which fpread the alarm to all the inland country. Ex- 
cept in the cafe of a very thick fog, which a few fliips 
may take advantage of to get into fome of the fmaller 

iilandf| 



SET rLEM£NTS IN AMERICA^ 

iflaods, the town has always five or fix hours to pre* 
pare for the reception of the enemy^ and to get to* 
gether ten thoufand mUxtiai which can be'raifed at 
twenty-four hours notice. If a fleet (hould ever be 
able to pais the artillery of Fort William, it would in« 
falliably be (lopped by a couple of batteries, which 
being eredted to the north and fouth of the place^ 
comcnand the whole bay, and would give time ror all 
the veflels and commercial ftores to be (heltered from 
caonon (hot in the river Charles. 

Bofton port is large enough for fix hundred vefiels 
to anchor in it iafely and commodioufly. There is a 
magnificent pier conftru£led, far enough advanced iot 
the Tea for the fhips to unload their goods without 
the afiiftance of a lighter, and to difcharge them into 
the warehoufes which are ranged on the north fide* 
At the extremity of the pier the town appears, built 
in the form of acrefcent round the harbour. Accord-- 
ing to the bills of mortality, which are become with 
reafon the only rule of political arithmetic, it contains 
about thirty thoufand inhabitants, compofed of Ana« 
baptifts, Quakers, French refugees, Englifh iPrefby- 
teriaos, and Church*of- England men. The houfes^ 
furniture, dreis^ food» converfation, cuftoms, and man- 
ners, are fo exaAly fimilar to the mode of living ia 
London, that it is impofiible to find any other differ* 
cnce but that which arifcs from the overgrown popu^. 
JUuion of large capitals. 



VaL.l I €BAP; 



at lilSTbkt Ol^ THE BRITiSH 

CHAP. X 

Of New To&k sind New Jeesbt. 

I. Nevi Terk, fctanded by thi. Dutcb, fttjfes into the 

hands of thi Englijh. 

NEW-YORK, limited to the caft by New-England, 
and bounded to the weft by New-Jerfey, ocru« 
{>ics at firft a very narrow fpace of twenty miles along 
the fea-(hore, and, infeofibly enlarging* extends above 
a hundred and fifty miles northward in the inland 
Country. 

This country was difcovercd by Henry Hudfbn in 
1699. That celebrated navigator^ after having made 
^ain attempts under the patronage of the Dutch Eaft 
India Company for the difcovcry of a north-weft pafll 
age, veered about to the fouthward, and coafted alonj|| 
the continent, in hopes of making fome ufeful di^ 
cuvei7 that might prove a kind of indemni/ication to 
the lociety for the iruft they had repofed in him. He 
cfntered into a conftderable river, to which he gave 
)iis name ; and after having reconnoitred the coaft and 
Its inhabitants, returned to Amfterdam from whence 
lie had fet fail. 

According to the European fyftem, which confidcrk 
the people of the new world as nothing, this country 
li.ouid have belonged to the Dutch It had been di& 
covered by a man in their fervice, who had taken poC* 
^[eiiioa of it in their name, and given up to them all 
the claims which he himfelf might have to it. His 
ibeing an Liiglifhrnan did hot in the leaft invalidate 
^hefe uncontiovertable titles. It muft, therefore, have 
HO^GCfiJSiQiicd ^rcat furprife^ when James L aftertcd hit 



SETTLEMENrS IN AMERICA. Sj 

precendoDs to it, upon the principle that Hudfon wsis 
born his rubje(5l ; as if the real country of any man 
W'ds not that in. which he earns his fubiiftence. The 
king was To convinced of this, that he foon gave up 
ttie matter; and the republic fent in i6io to lay the 
Foundation of the colony in a country which was to 
\>c called New Belgia. Every thing profpered here. 
Fortunate beginnings (eemed to announce a dill great- 
er progrefs, when in 1664 the colony was expofed to 
I ftorm which it could not poffibly forcfee. 

England, which had not at that time thofe intimate 
ronnedlions with Holland that the ambition and fuc- 
:efljs of Lewis XlV. have given birth to fince^ had 
ong (een with a jealous eye the profperity of a iVnall 
late in its neigh bourhood, which, though but juft 
brmed, was always extending its profperous trade to 
ill parts of the world. She wis fecretly didurbcd at 
he thoughts of not being on an equality with a power 
o whom, in the nature of things, (he ought to have 
>ccn greatly fuperior. Thefe rivils in com.nerce'and 
lavigation, by their vigilance and oeconomy, gained 
he advantage over her iq all the large markets of the 
vhole pniverfe. Every effort ihe made to ellablifh a 
:ompetition turned either to her lofs or difcredic, and 
he w.is obliged only to aft a fecondary p-4rt, whilft all 
he tpjde then kaovvn was evidently centering itfelf in 
he republic. At length, the nation felt the difgrace 
if her mcrchaots ; and refolvcd that what rhey could 
lot compais by induftry fhould be fecured to them by 
orce. Lharies II. notwithllanding his averQon for 
lufinefs, and his immoderate love of plejfure, cagf^r- 
f adoped a meafure which gave bim a profpcft of ac- 
luiriiTg the riches of thefe diflant regions, together 
irith thtf maritime empire of Europe. His brother, 
nore adive and more enterpriling than himfelf, e?i- 
4>uragedhim in thefe difpodtions \ and the delibera- 



«8 HISTORt OF THE BRITISH 

tion concluded with their ordering the Dutch fhips 
to be attackedi without any previous declaration of 
war. 

An Englifli fleet appeared before New Belgia in 
the month of Auguft. It had three thoufand men 
en board j and fo numerous a force precluding every 
idea as well as every hope of refinance, the colony 
fubmitted as foon as it was fummoned. The conqueft 
^as fecured to the viftors by the treaty of Breda ; but 
It was again taken from them in 1673, ^ben the in- 
trigues of France had found means to fet two powers 
at variance, who for their mutual intereAs ought always 
to be friends. A fecond treaty rcftorcd New Belgta 
to the Engli/h, who have remained in quiet pofleffion 
of it ever lince under the name of New York. 

It had taken that name from the duke of York, to 
^hom it had been given by the king in 1664. As 
foon as he had recovered it, he governed it upon the 
fame arbitrary princi]ples which afterwards deprived 
liim of the throne. His deputies, in whofe hands 
:were lodged powers of every kind, not contented with 
the exercife of the public authority, con(lituted them- 
felves arbitrators in all private difputes. The country 
vas then inhabited by Hollanders who had preferred 
thefe plantations to their own country, and by colon- 
ifts who had come from New England. Thefe people 
had been too long accudomed to liberty, to fubmik 
patiently for any time to fo arbitrary an adminifira- 
tion. Every thing feemed tending either to an infur- 
xeAion or an emigration, when in 16S3 the colony 
was invited to chufe reprefentatives to fettle its form 
of government. Time produced fome other changes ; 
but it was not till 1691 that a fixed plan of govern- 
ment was adopted^ which has been followed ever 
fince* 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. »9» 

At the head of the colony is a goTernor appointed 
^ the crown; which likewife appoints twelve couniel- 
lors, without whoie concurrence the« governor can 
Rga no 2L&. The commons are reprefented by twenty* 
feven deputies^ chofen by the inhabitants ; and thefe: 
ieveral bodies con Attune the general aflembly, iti' 
which every power is lodged The duration of this- 
aflembly, originally unlimited, was afterwards fixect 
at three years^ and now continues for feven, like the* 
Britifh parliament, who(e revolutions it has followed^. 

a. Flourijbing JlaU of New Torlu Caufei (f its 

frq/jpehty. 

Supported uppn a government To fblid, fo fav- 
ourable to that liberty which makes every thing, prof^ 
per, the colony gave itfelf up entirely to all the hbours* 
which its iituation could require or encourage* A 
climate much milder than that of New England, a foil 
fuperior to it for the cultivation of corn, and equally 
fit for that of every other produAion, foon enabled 
it to vie fuccefsfully with an eilabliihment that had 
got the ftart of it in all hs produAions and in all the 
markets. If it was not equal in its manufa^ures, this^ 
inferiority was amply compenfated by a fur- trade in*- 
finitely more coniiderable.^ Thefe fneans of profperi* 
ty, united to a very great degree of toleration in reli- 
gious matters^ have raifedits population' to one hund- 
red and fifrv thoufand inhabitants ; five and twenty 
ihoufand or whom are able to bear arms, and conni— 
tute the national militia. 

The colony would fiill have ffouriffled' much more,* 
had not its profperity been obftruded by the fanati- 
cifm of two governors, the opprefQve conduiH/ of fbm^ 
others, and the extravagant grants^ made to fome in«^ 
4Ufidualff in too'hig^i* favour;, bur thtfc^ ioconvcnien**- 



90 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

cet, which are only temporary under the Britifh go<- 
Tcrnmcnt, have fome of them ceafed, and the red of 
them are leflened. The province may, therefore^ 
€xpe£t to fee her produAions doubly increafed, if the 
two thirds of its territory, which dill remain unclear* 
cd, fhould yield as much ar the one third which has 
already been cultivated. 

It is impoffible to forefee what influence thefe riches 
snay have upon the minds of the inhabitants ; but it is 
certain they have not yet abuied thofe they have hi« 
therto acquired. The Putch^ who were the 6rfl: 
founders of the colony, Ranted in it that fpirit of 
order and oeconomy which is the chara^eridic of 
their nation ; and as they always made up the bulk of 
the people, even after thefe had changed ma(^ers, the 
example of their decent manners was imitated by all 
the new colonics brought amongft them by the con- 
qneft. Ihe Germans, compelled to take refuge in 
America by the perfecution which drove them out of 
the Palatinate or from the other provinces of the 
empire, were naturally inclined to this fimplc and 
modeft way of life 5 and the Englifh and French, who 
were not accuftpmcd to fo much frugality, foon con- 
formed, either from motives of wifdom or emulation, 
to a mode of living lefs expienfive and more familiar 
than that which is regulated by fafhion and parade. 

What has been the confequence ? That the colony 
has never run in debt with the mother country ; that 
it has by that means prcfcrved an entire liberty in its 
falcs and purchafes, and been enabled always to give 
to its affairs the direction which has been moft ad- 
vantageous to them. Had the reprcfeniatives carried 
the fame principles into their adminiftration, the pro- 
vince would not have entered precipitately into ch- 
{agementSj the burden of which it already feels. 

Both 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 91 

Both the banks of Hudfon's river are laid out in 
the plantations of the colony , which enliven and de- 
corate thefe borders, it is upon this magnificent 
canaly which is navigable day and night, in all fea« 
fons, and where the tide runs up above a hundred 
and iixty miles in the land, that every thing which 
is intended for the general market is embarked ia 
vcSkls of forty or fifty tons burden. The ftaple it- 
felf} which is near the Tea, is extremely well fituated 
for receiving all the merchatndife of the province, an.d 
all that comes from Long Island,- which is only 
feparated from the continent by a narrow channel. 

This ifland, which takes its name from its figure, 
is one hundred and twenty miles in length by twelve 
in breadth. It was formerly very famous for the 
great number of whales and fea- calves taken in its 
neighbourhood; but whether it is that the frequent 
fifheries have driven away thefe animals, which gene- 
rally feek quiet Teas and defart fhores/they have dif- 
appeared'y and another branch of induflry has been 
found to fupply their lofs. As the paf^ures are mod 
excellent, the breeding of all kinds of cattle, and 
particularly horfes, has been much attended to, with- 
out neglecting any other branch of cultivation. All 
thefe different riches flow to the principal market, 
which is alfo increafed by produ61ions brought from 
a greater diflance. 8ome parts of New England and 
New Jerfey find their account in pouring their (tores 
into this magazide. 

This mart is a very confiderable town, which at 
prefent has the fame name as the colony, and is cal- 
led Ne w York. It was formerly built by the Dutch, 
who gave it the name of New Amfterdam, in an ifland 
called Manahatton, which is fourteen leagues long, 
and not very brokd. In 17561 its population amount- 
ed to 1 0^468 whites^ and 2^275 negroes. There is 

BOI 



02 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

not any town where the air is better^ or wl^re there 
is a more general appearance of eafe and plenty. Boi^ 
the public edifices and private houles convey the idea 
of folidity united to convenience. If the city« how- 
cver, were attacked with vigour^ it wpuld hardly hold 
out twenty- four hours, having no other defence of- 
the road or the town, except a bad fort, and a fton^ 
retrenchment. 

New York, which (lands at the diftance of abouir 
two miles from the mouth of Hudfon's riveri has» 
properly rpe«'j;ing» neither port or bafon ; but it does^ 
not want either, becaufe hs road is fufficieat. It {» 
from thence that 250 or 300 fhips are difpatched every" 
year for the different ports of Europe and Amerlc;^ 
England receives but a fmall part of them ; but theyr 
are the richeft, becaufe they are thofe whofe cargo* 
confiQs in furs and beaver Ocins* The manner m 
which the colony gets po^ffion of thefe peltri^, is> 
now to be explained. 

As foon as the Dutch had built New Amderdam^ 
in a lituation which they thought favourable for tl^e^ 
intercourfe with Europe, they next endeavoured to> 
enablifli an advantageous trade there. The only thing", 
at that time in requed from North America was furs ; 
but as the neighbouring favages offered but few, and! 
thofe Lndiffei^ent ones, there was a neceffity of pufh^ 
ing to the north to have them better, and iq larger- 
quantities. In confequence of this, a project was> 
formed for an eftablifliment on the banks of HudibnV 
river, 1 50 miles di (lance from the capital. The cir«- 
cumflances fortunately proved favourable for obtain* 
ing the confent of the Iroqmois, to whom the terri« 
tory belonged. This brave nation happened, to be 
then at war with the French^ who were juft arrived^ 
in Canada. Uppn an agreeqicnt to fupply them withi 
the fame arms that their enemies uTed^they allowed the: 

Dutcb 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 9) 

Dutch to build Fort Orange, wliicb was aFtcrwardt 
called Fort Albany. There was never the leaft dis- 
pute between the two nations ; on the contrary, the 
Dutch, with the affil^nce of their powder, lead, and 
guns, which they ufed to give in exchange for ikios, 
fecured to themfelves not only what they could get 
by their own hunting in all the five countries, but 
even the fpoils coUefted by the Iroquois warriors in 
their expeditions. 

Though the Englifh, upon their taking pofleffion 
of the colony, maintained the union with the favages, 
they did not think ferioufly of extending the fur-trade 
till the revocation of the edi^t of Nantes in 1685, in- 
troduced among them the art of making beaver hats* 
Their eflForts were for a long time incffecflual, and 
there were chiefly two obftacles to their fuccefs. The 
French were accuftomed to draw from Albany itfelf 
coverlets, thick worded (lufis, different iron and cop- 
per manufadhires, even arms and ammunition ; all 
which they could fell to the (avages with fo much the 
more advantage as thefe goods bought at Albany coft 
them one third left than they would have done any 
other way. Befides, the American nations, who were 
feparated from New York by the country of the Iro- 
quois, in which nobody chofe to venture far, could 
hardly treat with any but the French. 

Burnet, who was governor of the Britifh colony 
in C720, was either the firft who faw the evil, or the 
firft who ventured to ftrike at the root of it. He made 
the general aflembly forbid all communication between 
Albany and Canada, and then obtained the confent 
of the Iroquois to build and fortify the factory of Of- 
wego at his own ex pence, on that part of the lake 
Ontario by which moft of the favages mufl pafs ia 
their way to Montreal. In confequence of thefe two 
operations^ the beavers and the other peltries were 

^rctvj 



^ HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

pretty equally divided between the French and Britidir* 
The acceffion of Canada cannot but increafe at prefeaf 
the ih^rc New York had in the trade, as the lacter is 
better fituated for it than the countr]^ which difputed 
with her. 

If the BritiOi colony has gained by the acquifition 
of Canada, it does not appear to have lo(l any thing 
by being feparated from New Jerfey* which formerly 
made a part of New B^lgia, under the tittle of Nelf 
Sweden. 

3. Jn what manner Niw Jerfeyftll into the bands ofthf 

Englijb, its prefentftate. 

The Swedes were, in fa£t, the firft Europeans who 
fettled in this region alK}ut the year i63(y. The negleA 
in which they were left by their own country, whicti 
was too weak to be able to extend its prote^Tiion tp 
them at fo great a diflance; obliged them, at the end 
of (ixteen years, to give themf elves up to the Dutch, 
who united this acquifition tp New Beigia. When th^ 
duke of York received the, grant of the two countricsy 
he feparated them ; and divided the lead of cheii^, caU 
led New Jerfey, between two of his favourites 

Carteret and Bei kicy, the tirit of whom had rcceivj^ 
ed the cailern, and the other the wettern pirt of the 
province, had ioiiciieJ this vai^ territory with no other 
view but to put it up to iaie. Several adventurers ac^* 
cordingly bought large diilrids ot them at a low price 
which they divided and fold again in fmaUer parceU, 
In the midft of theie J'ubdiviiions> the colony became 
divided into two dii^indt provinces, each feparately go- 
verned by the original proprietors. The exerctfe cyf 
this right growing at length inconvenient, a$ indeed 
it was ill adapted to the fituation of a fubjeA, they 
gave up their charter to the crown ia i^oi \ and from 

that 



S^rtLEl^NTS IK AMERICA. ^y 

thlt^tiffk^ the two provinces became one, and were dU 
refted, like the greater part of the other Britifli colo* 
nies, by a governor^ a council^ and a general aflem- 
blj. 

New Jerfcj, fituatcd between 39 and 40 degreet 
north latitude, is boubded tb the eaft bjr New Tork^ 
to the weft by Penfytvania, to the north by uoknowii 
land, and to the fouth by the ocean, which waOiet 
hs coafts thro* an extent of i 20 miles. This large 
country before the laft revolution contaihed only fix* 
tech thoufand inhabitants, the defcendants of Swedes 
and Dutch, who were its firft cliltivatoris, to whom 
had been added fome Quakers, and fome Church-of« 
England men, with a greater number of Prefbyterians. 
The defeA of the- government ftopped the progreft 
and occafioned the indigence of this fmall colony. It 
might therefore, have been expeAed that the «ra of 
liberty Oiould have been that of its profperity ; but aU 
moft all the Europeans who went to the new world 
in fearch either of an afylum or riches, preferring the 
inilder and more fruitful climates of Carolina and 
Pcn(ylvania ; New Jerfey could never recover from it^ 
primitive languor. Even at this day, it does not reck- 
on above fifty thoufand whites, united in villages, or 
difperied among the plantations, with twenty thou& 
and blacks 

The poverty of this province nbtfuffering it in thb . 
1)eginnihg to open a direct trade vnth the diflant ot 
foreign markets, it began to fell its produAions at 
Philadelphia, and efpecially at New York, with which 
there was an ea(y communication by rivers. It has 
continued this practice ever fince, and receives in ex- 
change from the two cities fome of the productions of 
the mother country. Far, however, from being abFc 
to acquire any obje^ of luxury, it cannot even afibrd 
io purcitafi; ttU the articles of immediate neccfiSity \ but 

13 



^ HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

is obliged itfelf to manu&Aure the greateft part of its 
clothing' 

There is of courfe very little fpecic in the colon/t 
which is reduced to the ufe of paper^currency. Ail 
its bills together do oot amount to more than 59,062 /•« 
10 s- As they are current both in Penfylvaaia, and 
Mew Yorki which do not take any of each others bills| 
they bear an advanced premium above the bills of thefe 
two colonies, by being made ufe of in all the payments 
between them. 

But fo trifling an advantage will never give any real 
importance to New Jerfey ^ It is from out of its owa 
bofom, that is^ from the culture of m immenfe tradt 
of defert country, that it is ro draw its vigour and pro(^ 
perity. As long as it {^ands in need of intermediate 
agents, it will never recover from the (late of languor 
into which it is plunged. This the colony is thorough* 
ly fenlible of; and all its efforts are now directed to 
this end, in order to enable it to a£t for itfelf. It hat 
even already made fome with fuccefs. As far back as 
the year 17$ ft it found means to fit out, at its own 
expence, thirty-eight veflels, bound to Europe or 
to the fouthern iflcs of /America. Thefe vcflels car- 
ried 188,000 quintals of hi feu its, fix thoufand four 
hundred and twenty-four barrels of flour, feventeen 
thoufand nine hundred and forty-one bufhelsof eorn» 
three hundred and fourteen barrels of fait beef and 
pork, fourteen hundred quintals of hemp; together 
with a pretty large quantity of hams, butter, beer^ 
lintfeed, iron in bars, and wood for building. It is 
imagined that this direct trade may have increaifed one 
third fince that time. 

This beginning of riches mufl raife the emulation^ 
the induflry, the hopes, the proje^, and the inter- 
prifes of a colony, which-hitherto had not been able 
^to fuitain the part in trade which its fltuation feemed 

to 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. p| 

to promife ic If^ however, there are fome poor and 
feeble Oates that draw their fubfiflence and fupport 
from the vicinity of others more rich and more briU 
liant than themfelves, there are a far greater number 
whom fuch a neighbourhood entirely crufhes and de- 
llroy s. Such« perhaps, has been the fate of New Jer« 
fey, as will appear from the hiftory, we are going to 
give of Penfylvania ; which, lying too clofe to this co« 
lony, has fometimes ilifled it with its ihadow, fome* 
times eclipfed it with its fplcndor* 



VoL.L 



BOOK 



IbSTOtlT ot tat SRiTisa 



BOOK II. 

IRitiSH COLONIES FOUNDED IN PENSYLVANI A, 

VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, CAROLINA^ 

GEORGIA^ AND FLORIDA. 

CHAP. L 
Of Pensylvania. 

ff . Tie ^dkers found Penfylvania. Manners ofthatfeS. 

LUTHER AN ISM, which was dcftined to caufe a 
remarkable cbange^in Europe, cither by its own 
influcDcc or by the example it gave, had occalioncd 
a great fermentation in the minds of all men ; when 
there arofc from the midft of it a new religion, which 
at firft appear^ much more like a rebellion guided bf 1 
fanaticiim, than like a {t^ that was governed by any 
^xed principles. In faft, the generality of innovators ^ 
follow a regular fyftem, compofed of doctrines con- 
ncflcd with each other, and, in the beginning atleaf)-^ J 
take arms only to defend themfelves. The Anabap- "^ 
tiO?, on the contrary, as if they had looked into th^ 
Bible only for the word of command to attack, lifted 
up the i^andard of rebellion, before they had agreed 
upon a fyftem of do^rinc. It is true, indeed, that 
their kaders had taught, that it was a ridiculous and 
tifelefe ;prai\icc to adminif^er baptifm to infants ; and 
ai&rted that their x,piaion upon this point was the 

iame 



Settlements in America. fn 

fame as that of the primitive church ; but they had 
not yet ever praftifed thcmfelves. this only article of 
faich, which furnifh'ed a preteace for feparatioD. The 
fpirit of fcdition precluded them from paying a pro* 
per attention to the fchifmatic tenets on which their 
division was founded. To fhalre off the tyrannical 
yoke of the church and ftate, was their law and their 
faith. To enli(^ in the armies of the Lord ; to joia 
with the faithful who were to wield the fword of Gi- 
deon ; this was their device, their motivCi and their 
fignal for rallying. 

It was not till after they had carried fire and fword 
into a great part of Germany, that the Anabaptifls 
thought at lal^ of marking and cementing their con* 
fiedracy by fome vitible (ign of union. Having been in*« 
fpired at firft to raife a body of troops^ in 1525 they 
were infpired to compofe a religious code, and tha 
following were the tenets they adopted. 

In the mixed fydem of intolerance and mildnefs by 
which they are guided, the Anabaptift church, being 
the only one in which the pure word of God is taught 
nehher can nor ought to communicate with any other. 
The fpirit of the Lord blowing wherefoever it 11(1- 
cth, the power of preaching is not limited to one order 
of the faithful, but is given to all. Every one likewife 
has the gift of prophecy. 

Every fe^H: which has not prcfervcd the community 
of all things, which conftitutcd the life and fpirit of 
Chriilianity, is degenerated, and is for that realbn aa^ 
impure fociety. 

MagiQrates are ufelefs in a fociety of the truly 
faithful. A Chriftian never has occadon for any ^ 
nor is a Chriftian allowed to be one himfelf. 

Chriftians are not permitted to take up arms even in 
their o\rn defence, much lefs is it lawful for them tO' 
iolift as fuldiers in mercenary ar^uks«- 

Both* 



toe HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

Both law-fuits and oaths are forbidden the diAripIes 
of Chrift ; who has commanded them to let their yea 
be yea, and their nay nay. 

The baptifm of infants is an invention of the devil 
and of the pope. The validity of baptifm depends up- 
on the voluntary confent of the adults^ who alone are 
able to receive it with a confcioufnefs of the engage* 
st^ent they take upon themfelves. 

Such was in its origin, the religious fyftem of the 
Anabaptifls. Tho' it appears founded on charity 
and mildnefs^yetit produced nothing but violence and 
iniquity. The chimerical idea of an equality of ftati- 
ons is th^tnoft dangerous one that can be adopted in 
a civih'zed fociety. To preach this fyftcm to the peo- 
ple, is not to put them in mind of their rights^ it is 
leading them on to aflaffination and plunder* It is let- 
ting domcf^^ic animals loofe, and trasformlng them in- 
to wild bcafls. The maders who govern the people 
muft be better informed, or the laws by which they 
are conduced muft be foftened : but there is in faft 
so fuch thing in nature as a real equality ; it exifts 
only in the fyftcm of equity. Even the favages them- 
ielvcs are not equal, when once they are colleAed in- 
to hords. They are only fo while they wander in 
the woods ; end then the man who fuffers the produce 
of his chafe to be taken from him^ is not the equal of 
him who deprives him of it. Such has been the origin 
af all focieties. 

A doArine, the bafis of which was the community 
of goods and equality of ranks, was hardly calculated 
to ftnd partlzans any where but among the poor. The 
peafantSj accordingly, all adopted it with the more 
violence in proportion as the yoke from which it de- 
livered them was more infupportable. The far great- 
cr part, efpecially thofe who were condemned to fla- 
Tcry, role up in arms on all iidesj to fupport a doft- 

rine. 



SETTLEMENTS Hf AMEtflCiS:. wp 

fine, which, from being vaflals, made them equal tp 
their lords. The appreheniioQ-of feeing one of the firft 
bands of fociecyy obedience to the magiilrdte, broken^ 
united all other fcdh againd them, who could not Tub* 
fift without fubordination^ After having carried oil> 
a more ob(iinate refinance than could have been ex* 
peAed, they yielded at length to the number of their 
enemies*. Iheir ft6l|.notwithf)anding it had made ic9 
Wdj all over Germany, and into a part of the nor thy. 

• was no where prevalent, bccaufe it had been everjp" 
where oppofed and difperfed. It was but }u(k tolerat- 
ed in thcie countries in which the greateil latitude of 
opinion was allowed ; and there was not any flate ii» 
which it was able to fettle a church, authorifed by the 
civil powerr This of courie weakened it, and from oh-^ 
fcurity it fell into contempt. Its only g'ory is that 
of having, perhaps, contributed to the foundation o£ 
the fe£l of the quake rs. 

This humane and pacific ft& had arifen in England 
anriidil the confufions of a war, which terminated in a 
monarch's being dragged to the fcafFold by his own 
fubjedts. The founder of it, George Fox, was of the 
lower clafs of the people;, a man who had bten for- 
merly a mechanic, but whom a fingukr and contem* 
plativc turn of mind had induced to quit his profefli*- 
on. In order to wcao himfelf entirely from all earthly 
afFeAions, he broke off all connedlions with his owni 
family; and for fear of being tempted to renew themi 
he determined to have no fixed abode.- He often- wan* 
dered alone in the woods, without any other amufe** 
snent but his bible. Iti time he even learnt to gO' with- 
out that, when he thought he hud- acquired from it m 
degree of infpiration. iimiliar to< that of the apo^le^ 
and the prophets*. 

Then he began« tO' thinic of making" prorclvtcffy 

^ which he found not in the leaflT difficult;^ ia> ai count vy 



tal HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

where the minds of all men were filled and-difturbed 
with enthufiaftic notions. He was, therefore, foon 
followed hj 2L multitude of difciples, the novelty and 
Angularity of whofe notions upon incomprehenfible 
fubjeAs could not fail of attracting and faicinacing all 
thofe who were fond of the marvellous. 

The firft thing by which they caught the eye, was 
the fimplicity of their drefs ; in which there was nei- 
ther gold nor filver lace, nor embroidery, nor laces, 
nor ruffles, and from which they afFcdted to banifh 
every thing that was fuperfluous or unneceiTary. 
They would not fuffer either a button in the hat, or 
a plait in the coat, becaufe it was pofGble to do with* 
out them. Such an extraordinary contempt for cn:ab- 
lifhed modes reminded thofe who adopted it, that it 
became them to be more virtuous than the reft of 
men from whom they diftinguifhcd themfelves by this 
external modefty. 

All the external deferences which the pride and 
tyranny of mankind exadl from thofe who are unable 
to rcfufe them, were difdained by the quakers, who 
difclaimed the names of Mafter and Servant, . They 
condemned all titles as pi^ide in thole who claimed 
them, and as meannefs in thofe who beftowed them.. 
They did not allow to any perfon whatever the appel- 
lation of Eminence or Excellence, and fo far they 
might be in the right; but they refufed to comply 
with thofe reciprocal marks of attention which we call 
politentfs, and in this they were to blame. The name 
©f Friend, they faid, was not to be refufed by one 
Chriftjan or citizen to another ; but the ceremony of 
bowing they confidered as ridiculous and troublefbnic. 
To pull off one's hat they held to be a want of refpcft 
to one's felf, in order to iliew it to others. 'Ihcy 
carried it fo far, that even the magiftrates could not 
draw from them any external token of reverence i 

but 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. loj 

but they addrefTed both them and princes^ accordiDg 
to the ancient majefty of langu.age| in the fecond per- 
fon and in th<f fingular number. 

The auderity or their morals ennobled the fingula« 
rity of their mannerst The ufe of arms, confidered 
in every light, appeared a crime to them. If it was 
to attack, it was violating the laws of humanity ; if to 
defend one's ftlf,i it was breaking through thofe of 
Chriftianity. Univerfal peace was the gofpel they had 
agreed to prpfefs. If any one fmote a quaker upon 
one cheek, he immediately prefented the other; if 
any one afked for his coat, he offered his waiflcoat 
too. Nothing could engage thefe equitable men to 
demand more than the lawful price for their work^ 
or to take lefs than what they demanded. An oath^ 
even before a magiftrate and in a jud caufe, they 
deemed to be a profanation of the name of God, in 
any of the wretched difputes that arife between weak 
and perifhable beings* 

The contempt they had for the outward forms of 
policencfs in civil life was changed into averfion for 
the ritual and ceremonial parts of religion. 1 hey 
looked upon churches merelyas the parade of religi'- 
on; they confidered the fabbath as a pernicious idle- 
nefs, and baptifm and the Lord's /upper as ridiculous 
fymbols. For this reafon they rcjcfted all regulinr 
orders of clergy. Every one of the faithful they 
imagined received an immediate illumination frdnsi 
the Holy Ghoft, which gave a charafter far fuperior 
ta that of the prieflhood. When they were aficmblcd 
together, the firft perfon who found himfelf infpired 
arofe and imparted the lights he had received trom 
heaven. Even women were often favoured with this 
gift of fpcech, which they called the gift of prophecy : 
fomctimcs many of theie holy brethren fpoke at the 



to4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

fame time ; but much more frequently a profound 
filence prevailed in their ailemblies* 

The enthufiafm occaiiooed both l^ their meditati* 
ons and difcourfesi excited fuch a degree of fenfibilit/ 
ia the nervous fyf^em, that it threw them into con<* 
^ulfionsy for which reafon they were called Quakers. 
To have cured thcfe people in procefs of time of their 
folly, nothing more was requiAte than to turn it into^ 
ridicule ; but, indead of this, perfecution contributed 
to make it more general WhilH: every other new^ 
(cQ. met with encouragement, this wa» expofed tO' 
every kind of punifliment ; imprifonments, whippings^ 
pilloricS) mad*huufes, nothing was thought too ten i» 
ble for bigots, whofe only crime was that of wanting. 
•Co be virtuous and reafonable over much« The con* 
ftancy with which they bore their fufierings, 'at firfi: 
excited compai&on, and afterwards admiration for 
them. Even L'romwcl, who hnd been one of their 
mofl violent enemies, bccauie they ufed to initnuate 
fhemfelves into his camps, and diicourage his foldiers 
from their profcflion^ gave them public marks of hiS' 
efteem. His policy exerted iti'clf in endeavouring to 
draw them into his party, in order to conciliate to 
himfclf a higher degree of refpedl and confideration : 
■but they either eluded his invitations, or reje^ed' 
them ; and he afterwards cofifeiTed, that this was the* 
only religion in which his guineas had taken no effect* 

Amohgd the fcveral pcHons who cafl a teajporary 
lurtre on the fcd^, the only one who defcrves to be 
remembered by pofterity is William Pcnn. He was 
the Ton of an admiral, who had been fortunate enough 
to be equally diAinguiihed by Cromwel and the two 
iStuarts who held the reigns of government after him. 
This able feamani. moiae fuppie,. and more infinuating 
than men co^mmonly are in his poflcffion, had made 
'CODfideraUc advances to goveromcat an the difierei^t 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. i®j 

expeditions in which he had been engaged. The mif* 
fortunes of the times had not fuffered them to be re* 
paid during his life ; and as affairs were not in a bet* 
ter fituation at his death, it was propofed to his fon^ 
that, indead of money he fhould accept of an im-. 
menfe territory in America. It was a country which 
tho* long fince difcovered, and furroundcd by Englifh 
colonies, had always been negle£led. The love of hu- 
manity made him accept wiih pleafure this kind of 
patrimony, which was ceded to him almofl as a fover- 
eignty ; and he determined to make it the abode of 
virtue, and the afylum of the unfortunate. With this 
generous defign, towards the end of the year 1681, 
he fet fail for his new poflcflions, which from that 
time took the name of Pcnfylvania. All the quakers 
were dcfirous to follow him, in order to avoid the 
perfecution raifed againfl them by the clergy on ac- 
count of their not complying with the tithes and other 
ecclefiaftical fees ; but his prudence engaged him to 
take over no more than two thoufand. 

2. Upon 'what principles Penfylvania was founded. 

Penn's arrival in the new world was fignalized by 
an a£t of equity which made his perfon and principles 
equally beloved. Not thoroughly fatisfied with the 
right given him to this extenfive territory by the cef- 
fion of the Englifh miniilry, he determined to make 
it his own property by purchadng it of the natives. 
The price he gave to the favages is not known ; but 
though fome people accufe them of flupidity for con* 
fenting to part with what they never, ought to have a« 
lienated upon any terms ; yet Penn is not lefs entitled 
to the glory of having given an example of moderati* 
•on and juHiice in America, never fo much as thought 
of before by the Europeans* He made his acquifition 



io6 HISTORY OF THE BMTISM 

at valid as he could, and by the ufe he made of it ht 
fapplied aoy deficiency there might be in the legality 
of his liile. The Americans conceived as great an af- 
feftton for this colony as they had conceived an aver* 
fion for all thofe which had been founded in their 
neighbourhood without their confent. From that 
time there arofe a mutual confidence between the two 
people, founded upon good faith, which nothing has 
ever been able to fhake. 

Penn's humanity could not be confined to the fava- 
ges only ; it extended itfelf to all thofe who were de- 
iirous of living under his laws. Senfible that the hap- 
pinefs of the people depended upon the nature of the 
legfflation, he founded his upon thofe two firfl prin- 
ciples of public fplendor and private felicity j lib>:rty, 
and property. Here it is that the mind refts with plea- 
fure upon modern hiflory, and feels fome kind of 
compenfation for the difguft, horror, or melancholy 
which the whole of it, but particularly the account of 
the European fettlements in America, infpires. Hi* 
therto we have only feen thefe barbarians fpreading. 
depopul ition before they took pofleffion, and laying 
every thing wafle before they cultivated* It is time 
to obferve the feeds of reafon, happinefs, and huma* 
niry, Town and fpringing up amid(% the ruin of an 
hemifphcre, which flill reeks with the blood of all itf 
people, civilized as well as favage. 

This virtuous lc?gi{l tor made toleration the bafis 
of his fociety. He ada>itted every one who acknow* 
ledged a God to the rights of a citizen, and made 
every Chriiiian elip/iblt- to ftate-employments. But he 
left every one at liberty to invoke the Supreme Being 
as he thought proper; and neither eftabliihed a reign* 
ing church in Penfylvania, nor exacted contributions 
for building places of public worfhip^ nor compelled 
any perlous to attend ti^em. 

Jealous 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. > toy 

Jealous of immortalizing his namcy he veAed in hit 
Hmilj the right of nominating the chief governor of 
the colony : but he ordained that no profits Ibould 
be annexed to his employment, except fuch as were 
voluntarily granted ; and that he fhould have no au- 
-chority without the concurrence of the deputies of 
the people. All the citizens, who had an intereft in 
the law, by having one in the circumftance the law 
^as intended to regulate, were to be dehors, and 
might be chofen. To avoid as much as poffible every 
kind of corruption, it was ordained that the repre- 
sentatives fhould be choien by fufirages privately 
given. To eflabliOi a law, a plurality of voices was 
Sufficient; but a majority of two thirds was neceflary 
to iettle a tax. Such a tax as this was certainly more 
like a free gift than a fubiidy demanded by govern- 
ment ; but was it poffible to grant lefs indulgences to 
men who were come fo far in fearch of peace ? 

•Such was the opinion of that real philofopher Penn» 
He gave a thouiand acres to all thofe who could af- 
ford to pay twenty pounds for them. Every one who 
could not, obtained for himfelf, his wife, each of his 
children above fixteen years, and each of his fervants 
fifty acres of land, for the annual quit rent of about 
one penny per acre. 

To fix tbtfe proprieties for ever, he eftablifbed tri- 
bunab to protect the laws made for the prefervation of 
property. But it is not proteAing the pro[>erty of 
lands to make thofe who are in pofleiHon of them pur-, 
chafe the law that fecures them : for in that cafe, one 
is obliged to give away part of one's property in order 
to fecure the reO:; and law, in procefs of time, ex- 
baufls the very treafures it fhould prefer ve, and the 
Tery property it fhould defend. Lefl any perfons 
ihould be found whofe interefl it might be to encou- 
fSLOfi or prolong law^fuits^ he forbade^ imder very 



io8 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

ftri£l penalties, all thofe who were engaged in the ad- 
minif^rationof juftice, to receive any ialary or gratifi- 
cation whatfover. And further^ every diftri^t was ob- 
liged to chufe three arbitrators, whofe bufinefs it was 
to endeavour to prevent, and make up, any difputes 
that might happen, before they were carried into a 
court of juftice. 

This attention to prevent law fuits fprang from the 
deiire of preventing crimes. All the laws, that they 
might have no vice to punifh, were diredted to put a 
fiop to them even in their very fources, poverty and 
idlenefs. It was enaAed, that every child above twelve 
years old fhould be obliged to learn a profefiion, let 
his condition be what it would. This regulation, at 
the fame time that it fecured the poor man a fubfift- 
ence, furnifhed the rich man with a refource agaiaft 
every reverfe of fortune ; and preferved the natural 
equality of mankind, by recalling to every man's re- 
membrance his original deftination, which is that of 
labour either of the mind or of the body. 

Such primary inflitutions would be necefiarily pro- 
duAive of an excellent legiflation; and accordingly 
the advantages of that eftablifhed by Penn manifefted 
itfelf in the rapid and continued profperity of Penfyl- 
vania, which without either wars or conquefts or 
ftruggles, or any of thofe revolutions which attract the 
eyes of the vulgar, foon became an objeA fit to excite 
-tiie admiration of the whole univerfe. its neighbours^ 
r ilbtwithftanding their favage ftate, were foftened by 
-the fweetnefs of its manners ; and diftant nations, not- 
with (landing their corruption, paid homage to its vir- 
tues. All were delighted to fee thofe heroic days of 
antiquity realized, which European manners and laws 
had long taught every one to confider as entirely fa- 
l)ulous« 

3. £xtstii, 



SETtLEMENIS IN AMERICA. 109 

3. Extent, climate, and foil, •/ Penfylvanieu Its. 

profperity. 

Pensylvani A is defended to the eaft by the ocean^ 
to the north by New York, and New Jerfey, to the 
fouth by Virginia and Maryland, to the weft by the 
Indians ; on all fides by friends, and within ttfelf by 
the virtue of its inhabitants. Its coafts, which are at 
firft very narrow, extend gradually to 120 miles; and 
the breadth of it, which has no other limits than itt 
population and culture, already comprehends 14; 
tniles. The &:y of the colony is pure and ferene $ the 
dimatei very wholefome of itfelf, has been renderisd 
ftill more fo by cultivation ; the waters, equaUy falv* 
brious and clear, always flow upon a bed of rock or 
faod ; the year is tempered by the regular return of 
the feafons. Winter, which begins in the month of 
January, lafts till the end of March. As it is feldoia 
accompanied with clouds or fogs, the cold is, gene« 
rally fpeaking, moderate 4 fometimes, however, (harp 
enough to freeze the Jargeft rivers in one night. This 
revolution I which is as fiiort as it is fudden, is occa* 
fioned by the north- wefl winds, which blow from the 
mountains and lakes of Canada. The fpring is ufh« 
cred in by foft rains, and by a gentle heat, which in* 
creafes gradually till the end of June. The heats of 
the dog-days would be ioiupportable, were it not for 
the f;ctrcibing ibreezes of the fouth-weft wind ; but 
this ifiiocour, though pretty coni^ant, fometimes ex« 
poies .them .to hurricanes that blow down whole fo* 
reftst.and tear up trees by the roots, cfpecially in the 
Aeighhourhood of the fea, where they are ipoft vio« 
lent. The three autumnal months are commonly at* 
tended with no other incoavenience but that of being 
.400 rainy. 

Vol. h Is X^s^^ 



K i 



iio HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

Though the country is unequal, it is not lefs fertile. 
The foil in fome places confifts of a yellow black 
iand, in others it is gravelly, and fometimes it is a 
fireyi(h tfli upon a (lony bottom ; generally fpeaking^ 
It is a rich earth, particularly between the rivulets, 
^vrhich,. interfe£ling it in all direflions, contribute 
more to the fertility of the country than navigable 
rivers would* 

. When the Europeans firft came into the country, 
they found nothing in it but wood for building, and 
3ron mines. In procefs of time, by cutting down the 
trees, and clearing the ground, they covered it with 
innumerable herds, with a great variety of fruits, with 
plantations of flax and hemp, with many kinds of 
"yegetables, with every fort of grain, and efpecially 
with rye and maize ; which a happy experience had 
lliewn to be particularly proper to the climate. Cul- 
tivation was carried on in all parts with (uch vigour 
^nd fuccefs as excited the aftpnifhrnent of all natioits. 

From whence could arifc this extraordinary pro- 
fpcrity ? From that civil and religious liberty which 
. has attradcd the Swedes, Dutch, French, and par- 
ticularly fome labprious Germans, into that country. 
It has been the joint work of Quakers, Anabaptiflsi 
Church- of- England men, Methodilh, Prefbyteriaiis, 
Moravians, Lutherans, and Catholics. 

Among the numerous fc{\s which abound in this 

•country, a very diftinguifhed one, is that of tnc 

Dumplers. It was founded by a German, who^ dfif- 

gufted with the world, retired to an agreeable foli- 

tude within fifty miles of Philadelphia, in order to be 

n«are at liberty to give himfelf up to contemplation. 

Curiofity brought feyeral of his countrymen to vifit 

Ms retvcut i and by degrees his pious, fimple, and 

ptitcrakle manners inc^.uced \'tittv\ \o C<^ule near him, 

^siodttxcy ali forjiicd a Uuk co\ov\;3 ^ «\\\Ock xi^s.^ ^^V^ 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. iii 

Euphrates, in allufion to the Hebrews^ who ufed to 
fing pfalms on the borders of that river. 

This little city forms a triangles the outfides of 
which are bordered with mulberry and apple trees, 
}5lanted with regularity! In the middle of the towa 
is a very large orchard ; and between the orchard and' 
thefe ranges of trees are houfes, built of wood, three' 
ftories high, where every Dumpier is left to enjoy* 
the pleafures of his meditations without difturbance* 
Theie contemplative men do not amount to above 
five hundred in all; their territory is about X50 acres^ 
in extent, the boundaries of which are marked by a 
river, a piece of A;agnated water, and a mountain 
covered witK trees. 

The men and women live in feparate quarters of 
the city. They never Tee each other but at places of 
worfhip, nor are there any afiemblics of any kind but 
for public bufinefs. Their life is taken up in labour^ 
prayer, and fleep. Twice every day and night they 
are called forth from their cellis, to attend divine 
fcrvicc. Likle the 'Methodifts and Quakers, every 
individual among them poilcfles the right of preach* 
ing when he thinks riimielf infplred. The favourite 
fubjefts on which they love to difcourie in their af- 
femblies, are humility, temperance, chaftity, and the 
other CUridlan virtues. They never violate tl\e reit 
of the Sabbath, which is fo much the delight of la- 
boiious as well as idle men. They admit a hell and a^ 
p^iradife; but rcjcft the eternity of future punifh nents 
The doftrine of original fiti is with them an impious^ 
blafphemy which they abhor, and in general every 
tenet cruel to man appears to them> injurious to the 
Divinity. As they do hot allow merit to any but 
Toluotary worksf, they admini(^er baptifm only to 
the adult. At the fame time they think baptifm fo 
clleutially neceflary to falvation, chat they iqiagine the 



v 



112 piSTORT OF THE BRITISH 

fouls of Cbriftians in another world are employed in 
converting tbofe who have not died under the law of 
the gofpeL 

Still more difinterefted than the Quakers, they ne- 
VCT allow themfelves any law-fuits* One may cheat, 
rob| and abufe them, without ever being expofed to 
any retaliation, or even any complaint from them. 
Religion has the fame efieA on them that philofophy 
had upon the Stoics ; it makes them infenfibleto eve- 
ry kind of iafult. 

Nothing, can be plainer than their dre(s. In winter. 
It confids of a long white gown, from whence there 
Jiangs a hood to ferve inftead of a hat, a coarfe fliirt 
thick Oioes and very wide breeches. There is no great 
difference in fummer, only that linen is ufed in (lead 
of woollen. The women are drefied much like the 
men except the breeches. 

Their common food is only vegetable, not becaufe 
it is unlawful to make ufe of any other, but becaufe 
that kind of abdinence is looked upon as more con- 
formable to the fpirit of Chriftianity, which has an a* 
Terflon to blood. Each individual follows with cheer- 
fulnefs the branch of bufinefs allotted to him. The 
produce of all their labours is depoiited into a com- 
mon dock, in order to fupply the neceffities of every 
one. Befldes the cultivation, manufadures, and all 
the arts neceflary to the little fociety, which are thus 
produced by united induAry, it affords a fuperfluous 
part for exchanges proportioned to the population. 

Though the two. fexes live feparate at Euphrates^ 
the Dumplers do not on that account foolifhly re- 
nounce matrimony. But thofe who find themfelves 
difpofed to it leave the city, and form, an eftablifhment 
in tl^ country, which is fupported at the public cxr. 
peace* They repay this by the produce of their la-. 
kourts which is all thrown inio x&t public treafury. 



SETTLEMENTS m AMERICA. iii 

and their chiidreo art fent to be educated in the mo^ 
Ihe'r country. Without this wife privilege, the Dum* 
piers would be nothing more than monks, and in 
^rocefi 6f time would become either favages or liber*^ 
dnes. 

IVhat is moft edifying, and at the fame time moft 
eztraordinaqr, is, the harmony that fubfifts between 
all the feAs eftablifhed in Penfylvania, notwithftand- 
mg the difierence of their religious opinions. Fho*' 
'chey are not all of the fame chtiirch, they all love and 
fherifh one another as children of the fame father. 
They have always continued to live like brothers, bc- 
eaufe they had the liberty of thinking as men. .It is to' 
this delightful harmony that mud be attributed more' 
]^articularly the rapl4 progrefs of the colony. 

At the beginning of the year 1 76^ its population 
amounted to 1 50,000 white people. The number mufl: 
have been coniiderably increafed from that period,, 
fince it is doubled every fifteen years^ according to* 
Mr Prankiln's calculation^. There were ftill thirty 
' thonfand blacks in the province, who met with lefs 
ilKufage in this province than in the others^ but who 
were ftill exceedingly unhappy. A circumftance, how«- 
cver. not eafily believed, is, that the fubjcdbon of the 
negroes has not corrupted the morals of their maRers^ 
their manners are ftill pure, and eveo^auftere, in Pen-* 
fylvania. Is this fingular advantage to be-afcribed tO' 
the climate, thelawsj the religon*, the emulation con- 
ftantly fubiifting between the dififcrent fedts^ or to fomc* 
other particular caufe I Let (he reader determine this* 
'i^ueftioni 

The Penfylvaniians are in general well made, andl 
thrir women of an agreeable figure** As they fooner* 
become mothers than^ in £uropej they fooner ceafe: 
breedings If the hear of the clima<r feems on the one: 
hand to^hafltothe: operations of natuic^At^VsSR.x^t^^'^^^^ 



• 14 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

■ , ■ 

<y weakens them on the other. There is no place 
where the temperature of the.fky is more uncertain 
lor it fometimes changes five or fix times in the fame 
day. 

ASf however, thefe varieties neither have any dan- 

ferous influence upon the vegetables, nor deftroy the 
arvefts^ there is conftant plenty, and an univcrfal 
appearance of cafe. The oeconomy which is fo parti« 
cularly attended to in Penfylvania does not prevent 
t)oth fexes from being well clothed ; and their food 
is ftill preferable in its kind to their clothing. The 
families, whofe circumftances are the leafl ea(y, have 
ail of them breads meat, cyde^, beer, and rum. A 
very great number are able to afford to drink con- 
. fiantly French and Spaniih wines, punch, and efen 
liquors of a higher price. The abufe of thefe (Irong 
drinks is lefs frequent than in other places, but is not 
without example. 

The pleafing view of this abundance is never di& 
turbed by the melancholy fight of poverty. There 
are no poor in all Penfylvania. All thofe whofe birth 
or fortune have left them without refources, are fui- 
tably provided for out of the public treafury. The 
fpirit of benevolence is carried (iill further, and is ex- 
tended even to the mod engaging hofpitality. A tia- 
veller is welcome to (lop in any place, without the ap- 
prehenfions of giving the Icafi uneafy fcnfation except 
that of a regret for his departure. 

The happinefs of the colony is not diflurbedby the 
opprcffive burden of taxes. In iy66, they did not a- 
mount to more than 1 2,256 /• 2x. 6//. Moi\ oi them 
even thofe that were defigncd to repair the damages 
of war, were to ceafe in 177a.. If the people did not 
experience this alleviation at that period, it was owing 
to the eruptions of the favagesi which had occafioned 
extraordinary expenses* 

The 



. SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 115 

The Penfylvanians, happy poflefTori and peaceable 
tenants of a country that ufually renders them twenry 
4>r thirty fold of whatever they lay out upon it, are 
not reftrained by fear from the propagation of their 
fpedes. There is hardly an unmarried perfon to be met 
with k) the country. Marriage is only the more hap- 
pf and the more reverenced for it. The freedom as 
well as the fanAity of it depends upon the choice of 
tke parties ; they chufe the lawyer the prieft rather as 
witnefles, ihan minifters, of the engagement. When- 
ever two lovers meet with any oppofition^ they go off 
OD horfeback together. The man gets behind his mif- 
f reft ; and in this (ituation they prefent themfelves 
before the magiftrate, where the girl declares fhe has 
run away with her lover, and that they are come to 
, be married. So folemn an avowal cannot be rejeAed, 
sior has any perfon a right to give them any moIeRa* 
tion. In all other cafes, paternal authority is excef- 
five. The head of a family , whofe affairs are involv* 
cdf is allowed to engage his children to his creditors ; 
m punishment, one (hould imagine, very fufficient to 
induce a fond father to attend to his affairs* A man 
grown up acquits in one year's fervice a debt of 5/. 
and children under twelve years of age are obliged to 
ferve till they arc one and twenty, to pay one of 6/. 
This is an image of the old patriarchal manners of the 
Eaft 

Though there are fevcral villages, and even fomc 
cities, in the colony, moff of the inhabitants may be 
faid to live (eparately, as it were, within their families. 
2:rvery proprietor of land has his houfe in the midtl of 
m large plantation entirely furrounded with quickfet 
hedges. Of.courfe each parifli is near twelve or fif- 
teen leagues in circumference. This diffancc of the 
churches makes the ceremonies of religion have little 
cffefti and (tiA left influence. Children are sot bap- 

iiw4 






'^•■---v^'s =^.ii . Ji^^j^ "^cfrcs ht 2S fliiic up ia the 
^■:i-;:l .. r^sT As ":cc K &=t o2e is dcid in the 

rrr TtE^nc-xrs hirs nodce given 

V rur-ii- IVri fpread it in the ha- 

^, -v.-:* r^v .•- -rwi^ rni •xibi a few hours the 

--^> » -* ..> ^. .: r-v-: re a ^i^^ac:. Etctj Eunilf 

i -.s .. ^. : * -r x^r.T rr fcrrrsc the fianera!. As 

^ --' .-.^ V . *t-^* -»-r -TT-irrri-wrci p-asch and cake. 

% ^.•'' ^- -il ■-.^- ^ -Tr r r^- ^be rrrpfc h carried to 

■ . '--:--. -^ /V...TC rc.--'*c r^ rr his fsa; or, if that 

..--- • - .. -jv r-.-:- ; ^i^LTc:;. -ir^ c*2e cf the fields 

N ,• V -> - -- . ** ■" -"-r,-^ a jrr>fri!lTa train of 

V- ^ " ^- V- r^:-^I:\:« j^c hrrrback, who oIk 

. -V .^ :';.'X'=. rrc *-▼:? s^ :h; txternal ap» 

■- ■,' ^^ TTw ..rcT.'i «■ nr^r^ of the cere- 

*• , .. /. -r-. i- *::?::: 3 :^i: :hc PcnfyU 

♦- *x • -. *^ ^ -. .% ^ rrvrr ^ :r» rirade dur- 

^ .-. • /,' •.''.-r: " -* s cririirsr cf mod- 

-- """^ . i-:: /;:£Trrs5 that the 

- . *^ ^" o : " -^^s *r. .---■.•! be anended 

• ' - ... :• /rr- nrc c»r fortune, 

:: asd virtuous 



. v;?^ 



ar- remirkablj 

- ^ . ,. . ': -r-j.-ii^s- Hic reason of 

*- * - -v. - .,"•,: ...T ^.-rrrrs 25 duties 

■^ >* .. rv . ^> rrr^.V-Tis ij to many 

^ ^ *. . -c .-: -rra vhich Is Tcrf 

.^ « - -t L?irr ire i2 a ftarc 

. . ^ .: i^ --OC r>s •rrirg scan him- 

* « ^ ^K V Tvr.-c^-j-s. jc 3f i.* parents, his 

■ ' * • r, »'s* -,'"i«r:L-r'r rtrr rhem to the 

- « - 

* ^ - - - ^ V. . \;v „*^ wmS CZHCTTe^I to DC 

*i.-v ,^^^- ^^..^^ ^^-.-^ i:vM.ws i^r: al#*ajs rrorc nu- 

sextfus 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ity 

inerous attendants in Anall fbcicties than in larger 
ones ; becaufei though there are fewer families upod 
the wholci the number of individuals there is much 
larger, and all the ties that conned them with each 
other are much ftronger. This kind of intimate uni« 
on has been the reafon why fo many fmall nations 
have overcome larger ones ; it drove Xerxes and the 
Periians out of Greece, and it will fome time or other 
expel the French out of Corfica. 

But from whence does Penfylvania draw the ma- 
terials for her own confumption, and in what manner 
does ihe contrive to be abundantly furnifhed with 
them ? With the flax and hemp that are produced at 
homey and the cotton (he procures from South A« 
merica, (he fabricates a great quantity of ordinary 
linens ; and with the wool that comes from Furope 
(he manufa£lures many coarfe cloths. Whatever her 
own induflry is not able to furnifh, (he purchafes with 
the produce of her territory. Her (hips carry over 
to the Briti(h, French^ Dutch, and Danifh iflands^ 
bifcuit, flour, butter cheefe, tallow, vegetables, fruits, 
fait meat, cyder, beer, and all forts of wood for build« 
ing. The cotton, fugar, coffee, brandy, and money, 
they receive in exchange, are fo many materials for a 
frelh commerce with the mother xountry, and with 
other European nations as well as with other colonies. 
The Azores, Madeira, the Canaries, Spain and Portu- 
gal, open an advantageous market to the corn and 
Vood of Penfylvania, which they purchafe with wine 
and piaftres. The mother country receives from pen- 
iylvania iron, flax, leather, furs, lintfeed oil, roafts 
and yards; for which it returns thread, wool, fine 
cloths, tea, Iri(h and India linens, hard ware, and o« 
ther articles of luxury or necelSty. As thefe, how- 
ever, amount to a much greater fum than what it buys^ 
Britian may be confidercd as a gulph in which all the 

metals 



VJ, HISTORY OF THE BRITISH . 

xnetak PenfylTania has drawn from the other parts of 
the world are funk again. In f 723^ Britain fent over 
gpods to Penfyivania only to the valueof io,r>^7/.io/. 
at prefent ihe furnifhes to the amount of 437)50o/. 
This fum is too contiderable for the colooiils to be 
able to pay it, even in depriving themfelves of all the 
gold they draw from other markets ; and this inabili- 
ty muft continue as long as the improvement of their 
cultures fhall require more condderable advances thaa 
their produce yields- Other colonies which enjoy aU 
1110ft exclufively fome branches of trade^ fuch as rice, 
tobacco, and indigo, mufl have grown rich very rapid- 
ly. Penfylvania, whofe riches are founded on agri- 
culture and the increafe of her flocks, will acquire 
them more gradually; but her profpcrity will be fixed 
t)pon a more firm and permanent balis. 
. If any circumOance can retard the progrefs of the 
colony, it muft be the irregluar manner in which the 
pjan^tions are formed Fenn*s familyi who are the 
proprietors of all the lands, grant them indifcrimin- 
ately in all parts, and in as large a proportion as they 
are required, provided they are paid 6/. 1 1 i. ^d, for 
each hundred acres, and that the purchafers agree to 
give an annual rent of about one halfpenny. The 
confequrnce of this is, that the province wants that 
fort of connedlion which is nccrflary in all things, and 
that the fcattercd Inhabitants eafily become the prey 
of the mod iniignificanc enemy that will venture to 
attack them. 

The habitations are cleared in different ways in the 
colony. Sometimes a hunt! man will fettle in the niidfli, 
of a foreft^ or quite clofe (o it. His nearefl: neigh- 
bours afGft him in cutting down trees, and heaping^ 
them up one over another : and this conditutes a houie; 
ground this fpot he cultivatcsj without an^ affiftance 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. i*^ 

a garden br a field» fuffident to fubfift hixnfelf aiicl 
his family. 

A few years after the firft labours were finifbed, 
,lbme mote aAive and richer men arrived from the 
]90ther country. They paid the huntfman for his 
pains, and agreed whh the proprietors of the provin- 
ces for fome lands that had not been paid for. They 
built more commodious habitations^ and cleared a 
greater extent of territory. 

At length fome Germans^ who came into the new 

. world from inclination, or were driven into it by per* 

fecution completed thefe fettlements that were as yet 

unfiniOied. The firft and fetond order of planters re« 

moved their indutlry into other parts,wich a more con- 

iiderable ftock to's carrying on their cultures than they 

had at firft. 

. The annual ex|)orts of Penfylvania may be valued at 

25,oco tons. It receives four hundred ftiips, and fits 

out about an equal number. They all, or almoft all^ 

' come into PHiLiiPELPHiA, which is the capital from 

' whence they are alfo difpatched. 

This fimdus' city, whofe very name recalls every 
humane feeling, is fituated at the conflux of the Dela- 
ware and the Schuylkill^ about no miles from the 
fea. Penn, who deftined it for the metropolis of a 
great empire, defigned it to be one mile in breadth^ 
and two in length between the rivers; but is popula- 
tion has proved infiifificient to cover this extent 'of 
ground. Hitherto they have btiilt only upon fhe 
banks' of the 'Delware j but i^ithout giving up (he 
ideas of the legiflator, or deviating from his plan. 
Thefe prtcauiions are highly proper : Philadelphia 
ir.uft become the moft confiderable city of America^ 
tecaufe it is impoffible that the colony fhould not im« 
piove greatly, and its jproduftions muft pafs through 
the harbout^of the capital before they arrive at the Tea. 



lao HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

The ftreets of PhilafJelphia, which are all regularj 
are in general fifty feet broad ; the two prtocipal ones 
are a hundred. On each fide of them, there are 
foot-paths, guarded by pofts placed at difierent dift- 
ances. Ihe houfes, each of which has its garden 
and orchard, are commonly two (lories high; and 
are built either of brick, or of a kind of foft ftone^ 
which grows harder by being expofed to the air. Till 
very lately the walls had but little thicknefs, becaufe 

. they were only to be covered with a very light kind 
of wood. Since the difcovery of flate quarries, the 
walls haive acquired a folidity proportioned to the 
weight of the new roofs. The prefent buildings have 
received an additional decoration from a kind*of 
marble of different colours, which b found about a 
mile out of the town. Of this they make tables^ 

. chimney-pieces, and other houfehold furniture ; be- 
fides which, it is become a pretty confiderable objeft 
of commerce with the greatefl part of America. 

Thefe valuable materials could not have been com* 
pnonly found in the houfes, if they had not been la* 
vifhed in the churches. Every CcQ. has its own church 
and fome of them have feveral. 

The town-houfe is a building held in as much ven- 
eration, though not fo much frequented, as the chun* 
ches. It is conftru£tcd in the moft fumptuous mag« 
nificence. It is there that the legiilators of the colony 
aflemble every year, ^nd more frequently if neccflary 

. to fettle every thjng relative tp public bufineft ; the 
whole of which is fubmittedjo the authority of the 
nation in the perfons of its reprefentatives. Next to 
the town-houfe is a moft elegant library, which owes 
its exidence to the care of the learned Doctor Frank* 
Jin. In it are found the beft Englifh, Frenchi and 
Latin authors. It is onl7 open to the public on Sa^ 

fui-days, Thofc who ha^^ iguu^ic^ VL\^^t ^ istt. ac« 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. m 

ce(s to it the whole year. The reft pay a trifle for tht 
loan of the books, and a forfeit if they are not re- 
timed iu due time* This little fund conftantly acca« 
mulating is appropriated to the increafe of the libra- 
ry; to which have been lately added, in order to 
make it more ufeful, fome mathematical and philofo- 
phical inftrumcnts, with a very fine cabinet of natur« 
tural hiftory. 

The college, which is intended to prepare the mind 
for the attainment of all the fciences, was founded in 
1749. At firft, it only initiated the youth in the Bel- 
les Lettres. In 1 764 a clafs of medicine was eftablifh- 
ed there. Knowledge of every kind and adepts in 
the fciences will increafe in proportion as the lands^ 
which are become their patrimony (hall yield a greater 
produce. If ever defpotifm, fuperdition, or war^ 
ihould plunge Europe again into that ftate of barbar« 
ifm from whence philofophy and the arts have drawn 
it, the facred fire will be kept alive in Philadelphia^ 
and come from thence to enlighten the world. This 
city is amply fupplied with every affidance human 
nature can require, and with all the refources 
induftry can make ufe of. Its keys, the principal 
of which is two hundred feet wide, prefent a fuite 
-of convenient warehoufes and recefles ingenioufly 
contrived for (hip- building. Ships of five hundred 
tons may land there without any difficulty, except in 
the times of froft. There they load the merchandife 
which has either come down jtbe Schuylkill and Dela« 
ware, or along roads better than are to be met with in 
moft parts of Europe. Police has made a greater 
progrefs in this part of the new world, than among 
the moft ancient nations of the old. Jt is impofiible 
' to determine precifely the population of Philadelphia^ 
as the bills of mortality are not kept withaiv'^ C'^^d&Yvd^^ 
mnd there are fcvcral fciks who do nox cYvri&cYi ^€is 



X21 HISrORT OF THE BRITISH 

children. It appears a fafl, howeTer, that in ij66 
It contained twenty thoufand inhabitants. As moft 
of them are employed in the fale of the produAions 
of the colony, and in fupplying it with what they 
draw from abroad, it is impoffible that their fortunes 
^ ihould not be very confiderable ; and they muft in- 
'Creafe ftill further, in proportion as the cultivation 
advances in a country where hitherto not above one 
fixth of the land has been cleared. 

Philadelphia, as well as Newcaftle and the other 
cities of Penfylvania, is entirely open. The whole 
country is equally without defence. This is a nece£* 
iary confequence of the principles of the Quakers^ 
who have always maintained the principal influence 
in the public deliberations, though they do not form 
above one third part of the population of the colony. 
Thefe fc£\aries cannot be too much favoured on ac«^ 
count of their modefty» probity, love of labour, and 
benevolence. One might, perhaps be tempted to 
accufe their legiilation of imprudence and temerity. 

When they edablifhed that civil liberty which pro* 
ttfls one citizen from another, ought not the found- 
ers of the colony to have taken (bme pains for the 
maintenance of political liberty alfo, which proteSs 
one (late from the encroachments of another? The 
authority which exerts itfelf to maintain peace and 
good order at home, fee ms to have done nothing if 
it has not prevented invafion from abroad. To pre- 
tend that the colony would never have any enemies^ 
was to fuppofe the world peopled with Quakers. It 
■was encouraging the Arong to fall upon the weak^ 
Jcaving the lamb to the mercy of the wolf» and giving 
^p all the country to the oppreflive yoke of the firft 
fly rant wh6 fliould think proper to fubdue it. 

But, on the other hand, how fhall we reconcile 
j€bc jftricflnc/s of Jttc j£oVjd-avacuavS:> Vs^ ^hkh the 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. rij 

Qoakers are literally gaverned, with that appearance 
of force, either for offence or defence) which puts all 
Chriftian nations in a continual ftate of war with eacb 
other I BefideS) what could the French or the Spa- 
niards do if they were to enter Penfylvania fword in^ 
hand ? Unlefs they fhould deftroy in one night or in 
one day all the inhabitants of that fortunate region^ 
they would not be able to cut off* the race of tho(c 
mild and charitable men. Violence has its boundaries 
in its very excefs ; it confutes and extinguifhes itfelf^ 
as the fire in the aflies that feed ic But virtue, when 
guided by humanity and brotherly love, reanimates 
itfelf as the tree under the edge of the pruning knife. 
Wicked men fiand in need of numbers to execute 
their fanguinary projeAs* But the juft man, or the 
Quaker, requires only a brother from whom he may 
L receive, or to whom he may give, aflidance. Let^ 
I ' then, the warlike nations, people who are either flavest 
or tyrants, go into Penfylvania : there they will find 
» all avenues open to them, all property at their dif^ 
J pofal ; not a fingle foldier, but numbers of merchants 
^ and farmers. But if they are tormented, reftrained^ 
or opprefled, they will fly, and leave their lands un- 
cultivated, their manufaflures deftroyed, and their 
warehoufes empty. They will go and cultivate, and 
fpread population in feme new land; they will go- 
round the world, and expire in their progrcfs rather 
. than turn their arms againfl: their purfuers, or fubmit 
to bear their yoke. Ihtir enemies will have acquired 
nothing but the hatred of mankind and the cuiTcs of 
pofterity. 

It is upon this profpeft and on this forefight, that 

the Penfylvanians have founded the opinion of their 

future fecurity. . At prefent they have nothing to 

* fear from behind, fince the French hatrc lod C^lyv^^^-^", 

I and the Banks of th^ colony are fuf&ckixvV^ ^o'lct^^ . 



\v« 



124 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

by the Brttifli fettlements. As for the reft, as they 
do not fee that the moft warlike dates are the moft 
durahle \ or that miftruft, which is always awake, 
makes them reft in greater quiet ; or that there is any 
kind of fatisfa6lion in the enjoyment of that which is 
held with fo much fear ; they live for the prefeot 
moment, without any thought of a future day.. Per- 
haps, toO| they may tihink themfeives fecured by thoie 
Tery precautions that are taken in the colonies that 
furround them. One of the barriers or bulwarks 
that preferves Penfylvania from a maritime iovaiioa 
to which it is expofed^ is Virginia. 



CHAP. II. 

Of Virginia and Maryland. 
I. Wretchedjlate cf Virginia 4t itsjirftfittlemgni* 

VIRGINIA^ which was intended to denote all that 
extenfi?e fpace which the ^nglifh propoied to 
occupy in the continent of North America, is at pre- 
fent confined within much narrower limits, it now 
comprehends only that country which is bounded to 
the north by Maryland, to the fouth by Carolina, to 
the weft by the Apalachian mountains, and to the eaft 
by the ocean. 1 his fpace contains two hundred and 
forty miles in length, and two hundred in breadth. 

It was in 1606 that the Englifh fir ft landed at 
Virginia ; and their firft fettlement was James-Towa. 
Unfortunately the firft object that prefented itfelf to 
them was a rivulet, which, ifluing from a fand bank, 
drew after it a quantity of talc, which glittered at the 
bottom of a clear and running water. In an age when 
gold and iilver minei were the only objedta of mens 

re- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ng 

refearcfaeSy this defpicable (ubflance was immediately^ 
t^en for filver Every other labour was indantly 
fttfpended to acquire it. And the illufioii was fo torn- 
plete, that two (hips, which had arrived there ^ith 
Bcceflaries, were lent home (b fully freighted witb 
thefe imaginary riches, that there fi:aree remained any 
room for a few furs^ As long as the infatuation lafted^ 
the colonafts difdained to employ themfelves in clear- 
ing the lands ^ fo that a dreadful famine was at laf^ the^ 
coofequence of this fooliib pride- Sixty men only 
remained alive out of five hundred that had come* 
from Europe. Thefe few, having only a fortnight'r 

K'ovifion left, were upon the point of embarking for 
ewfoundland, when lord Delaware arrived there 
with three (hips, a fre(h colony, and iupplies of all 
kinds. 

Uidory has defcribed this nobleman to us as a mai» 
whofe genius raifed him above the common prejudices^ 
ol the times. His difintereAednefs was equal to his* 
knowledge. In accepting the government of the 
colony, which was ftillin its infancy, his only motives* 
had been to gratify the inclination a virtuous mindt 
kas to do good, and to fecure the edeem of poller ity^. 
which is the fecond reward of that generoficy which.-- 
devotes tdelf totally to the fervice of the public. As^ 
fboft as he appeared, the knowledge of hts character 
procured him univerfal refpeA.. He began by en-^ 
deavouring to reconcile the wretched colon ifh to- their 
fatal country, to comfort them in their fufl^rings, to* 
viake them hope for a fpeedy conclufioo of them. 
After this, joining, the firmnefs of an enlightened^ 
magiftrate to- the tendernefs of a- good- father, he: 
taught them how to dire A theiir labour s^ tO' an urefuK 
•nd. For the misfortune of the* reviving, colony,. 
Selawarefs declining> health foon) obliged him tO' re-^ 
fHUNL ta £iicoge ;. but he never lo& Ggjxc of bii8> favou^- 



n6 HISTORY OB 13IE BRITISH 

rite coIonifts» nor ever failed to make ufe of all his 
credit and intereft at court to fupport them. The • 
colony, however^ made but little progrefs ; a circuow 
^nce that was attributed to the oppreffion of exdu- 
five privilege* The company which exercifed them 
was difiblved upon Charles I's acceffion to the throne ^ 
aad from that time Virginia was under the immediate 
direAioaof the crown, which exadlted no more thaa. 
a rent of 2 s. upon every hundred acres that were 
cultivated* 

Till this moment the colonifts had known no true : 
eojoyment of property. Every individual wandered ' 
where chance direAed him, or £xed himfclf in the. 
place he liked beft, without confuking any titles or 
agreements. At length, boundaries were afcertained ; 
and thofe who had been fo long wanderers, now be-, 
come citfzens, had determined limits to their planta- 
tions. The eftablifhment of this firft law of fociety- 
changed the appearance of every thing. New build- 
ings arofe on all fides, and were furrounded by frefh. 
cultivations. This activity drew great numbers of en- 
tcrprifing men over to Virginia, who came in fearch 
either of fortune, or of liberty which is the only com- 
]>enration for the want of it. The memorable troubles 
that produced a change in the conflitution of England 
^dded to thefe a multitude of Royalifts, who went 
there with a refolution to wait with Berkley, the go- 
vernor of the colony, who was alfo attached to king- 
Charles, the deciilon of that dcferted monarch's fate. 
Berkley ftill contiued to profedt them, even aficr the 
king's death , but fome of the inhabitants, either ie« 
duccd or intimidated, and feconded by the approach of 
a powerful fleet, delivered up the colony to the Pro- 
feilor. If the governor was compelled to follow, tho 
fiream againft his will, he was at leaft, among tboft 

whom Cbarics bjtd bono\tttd V\\S;i '{(^ j^confidcoce 



SETrLEMEMTS. IN: AMERICA. lajr 

tad rank, the laA who (ubmitted to Cromwell, and 
the fir (I who fhook off his. yoke. Thb brave man was 
finking under the oppreffion of the times, when the 
voice of the people recalled him to the place which 
his fuccefibr's death had left vacant ; but far from 
yielding to tfaefe flattering folicitations, be declared 
that he never would ferve any but the legitimate heirs 
of the dethroned monarch. Such an exaihple of mag« 
nanimity at a time when there were no hopes of the^ 
reftoration of the royal family, made fuch an impreC* 
fion upon the minds of the people, that Charles IL 
was proclaimed in Virginia before he had been pro* 
claimed in England* 

The. colony did not^ however, receive all the bene- 
fit from fuch a (lep which might naturally have beea- 
expected from it. Whilft the court, on one hand^ 
granted to rapacious men of family exorbitant privi- 
leges, which fwallowed up the properties of feveral 
obfcure colonifts ; the parliament, on the other, laid 
exceffive taxes upon both the exports from and im- 
ports to Virginia* This double oppreffion drained all 
the reiburces and difpelled all the hopes of the colo- 
ny ; and, to complete its misfortune, the favages, vfho 
had never been Aifficiently careiled, took that oppor- 
tunity to renew their incurfions with a fpirit and uni- 
formity of deiign that had never been yet known. 

Such a complication of misfortunes drove the Vir- 
ginians to defpair. Berkley, who had fo long been 
their idol, was accufed of wanting fortitude to reiift'' 
the oppreffions of the mother country, the activity ta 
repel the irruptions of the favages. The eyes of all 
were immediately fixed upon Bacon, a young officer, - 
foil of vivacity^ eloquence, and intrepidity, of an in>» 
finuating difpofition and an agreeable- perfon. They 
chpfe him for their general in an irregular and tumuU 
tuow maminr* * TlMJ§h bis BatliUnf .iac^cSCu tccv^q^ 



nt WSTORT OF THE BRITISH 



have jaftified his prcpoflcflloD of the liccnrioos muld^ 
tade, yet this did not prevent the governor from de» 
claring fiftcon a traitor to his coitotrf. A fenlcnce tty 
ievere, and which was impoident at that time» deter-- 
mined Bacon to aflame a power bf force n^ich he 
had czerciied peaoeablj and withcmt oppofidon for 
fix months. His death put a ftop to all his prcje&s. 
The malecontents, difiinited by the death of their 
chief, and intimidated bj the troops which were 
coming from Europe, were induced to foe for pardoi^ 
which was readily granted them. The rebellion there* 
fere, was attended with no bad confequences. Mercy^ 
infored obedience ; and fince that remarkable cri&« 
the hiftory of Virginia has been confined to the ao- 
count of its plantations. 

2. Adminiftration efFirginid* 

This great eftabliOiment was govemed at the bew 
ginning by perfons placed at the head of it by the comv 
pany. Virginia afterwards attracted the attention of 
the mother country ; which in 1620 gave it a regular 
form of gofcrnment, compofed of a chief, a council^, 
and depmies from each county ; to whofe united care: 
the intcreRs of the province were committed. At firft, 
the council and reprefea^tatives of the people ufed to* 
meet in the fame room : but in 1689 they divided,, 
and had each thair ieparate chamber, in imitadon of 
the parliament of England. Thiscuftom has been coo-^ 
tiniKd ever fince* 

The governor, who is always appointed by the kingii 
and for an wnlimited period, has the fole dtfpofal of 
the regular troops, tbe militia^ and of all military em* 
ployments, as well a^the power of approving or re* 
jesting whatever laws are propoied by the general a& 
Tembly. Befides this, with the concurrence of the 
€OiwcjI^ to which heka?rcs¥tti\jiU(k^wcrio othec 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 129 

HMttersi he, may cither prorogue or entirel7 diflblve 
this kind of parliament : he chui'es all magif^rates, and 
ail the collectors of the revenue \ he alienates the un« 
occupied lands in a manner fuitable to the edablidied 
forms, and difpofes of the public treafure. So many 
prerogatives, which lead on to ufupation, render go- 
vernment more arbitrary at Viiginia than it is in the 
more northern colonies : they frequently open the 
door to opprcffion. 

The council is compofed of twelve members, creat- 
ed by letters patent, or by particular order from the 
king. When there happen to be lefs than nine in the 
country, the governor chufes three out of the princi- 
pal inhabitants to make up the nucnber. They form 
a kind of upper- houfe, and are at the fame time to af- 
fill the adminiftration, and to counteract tyranny. 
They have alfo the power of rejecting all a£ls pailed 
in the lower houfe. The fabrics of the whole body 
amount to no more than 384/. los, 10 1^2 d. 

Virginia is divided into 25 counties, each of which 
lends two deputies. James*town ^nd the college have 
each of them feparately the right of naming one, 
which makes up in all 52. Every inhabiunt poflefied 
of a free*hold, except only women and minors, has 
the right of eleAion, and that of being eleAed. Tho' 
there is no time fixed by law for 'holding the general 
aflembly^ it commonly meets either once a yoar, or 
once in every two years ; and the meeting is very fel- 
dom deferred till three. The frequency of thefe meet- 
ings is infallibly kept up by the precaution of granting 
fupplies only for a fhort time. All a£ls pafled in the 
two houfes mud be fent over to the fovereigOi to re- 
ceive his fandliOn ; but till that returns, they are al« 
ways in forcei when they have, been approved by the 
governor. 



I30 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

The public revenues of Virginia are collected from 
different fources, and appropriated in different maii<* 
mers. The tax of i j i i 1^2 d- upon every quintal of 
tobacco; that of 14 i. 9 ^. per too, which every veflel 
foil or empty is obliged to pay at its return from a 
voyage; that of ij s 10 d. a head exacted from all 
paflcngers, flaves as well as free-men, upon their ar« 
rival in the colony ; the penalcies and forfeitures ap- 
pointed by different adls of the province ; the duty up- 
on both the lands and perfonal eflates of thofe who 
leave no legitimate heir ; thefe different articles, which* 
together amount to 3*062 / lO s. are to be employed 
in the current expences of the colony-, according to 
the dired^ion of the governor and the council. The 
general aflembly has nothing more to do in this mat- 
ter but to audit the accounts. 

This affembly, however, has referved to itftlf the 
fole difpofition of the funds raifed for extraordinary 
fervices. ' Thefe arife from a duty of entrance upon 
ftrong liquors, from one of 19/. 8 1-4 £/. upon every < 
flave, and one of about 14 s. ^d. upon every fervant^ 
not an Engliihman, that enters the colony. A reve- 
nue of this nature muft be extremely variable ; but in 
general it is pretty confiderable, and has been ufually 
well adminif^ered. 

Befides thefe taxes which are*paid in money, there 
are others paid in kind. They are a fort of triple poll- 
tax on the article of tobacco, which the white women 
only are exempted from. The firft is raifed by order 
of the general ailembly, for the purpofe of paying the 
expences of its meeting, for that of the militia, and 
for fome other national exigences. The fecond, which 
19 called provincial, is impofed by the juftices of the 
peace in each county for its particular ufes. The third 
jsparochJul, raifed by the chief perfons of the commu- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 131 

foStff upon e?eiy thing that has more or lefs connec'* 
tion with the eftabliihed form of worfhip. 

In the beginning juftice was adminiflered with that 
kind of difinterefte^lnefs which was itfelf the fecurit]^ 
for the equity obferved in it. One fingle court had 
the cognizance of all caufes, and ufed to decide them 
in a few days, leaving only an appeal to the general 
aflemblyi which was not lefs diligent in terminating 
them. So good a fydem did not continue long : 
in 1692 all the ftatutes and formalities of the mother 
country were adopted, and all the chicanery of it was 
introduced along with them. Since that time every 
county has its diftinA tribunal, compofedf of a fheri£^ 
his under officers, and juries. From thefe courts all 
caufes are carried to the council, where the gevernor 
prciidcs, who has the power of determining finally in 
all concerns as far as about 295/. If the fums con« 
tended for are more confiderable, the conteft may be 
referred to the king: in all criminal matters the 
council pronounces without appeal ; not that the life 
of a citizen is of lefs confequence than his property, 
but becauie the application of the law is much eafier 
in criminal than in civil caufes. The governor has 
the right of pardoning in all cafes but thofe of wilful 
murder and high treafon, and even in thefe he may 
fufpend the execution of the fentence till he has fent 
to know the king's pleafure. 

With rcfpeA to religion, the inhabitants not only 
began themfclves by profeffing that of the church of 
England} but, in i6if2, the ailembly pafled a decree^ 
which indireAly excluded from the province all thofe 
who fhould not be of this communion. The necefHty 
of peopling the country foon occafioned the repeal oif 
ihis law, which was rather of a hierarchal than of a 
jreligious nature. A toleration granted to Vm.^^ ^xv^ 
evidently wJcZi reluitsmcc^ produced no ^xt^\ t.^t.&« 



t3i HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

Onlj five non-conformift churches were added to tlift 
colony, one of which confided of Preibyterians, thre^ 
of Quakers, and one of French refugees. 

The mother church has 3(; pariflies. Every parifh 
chuies its minifter ; who muft, however, be approved 
of by the goveimor before he takes pofTefHon. In 
fome parishes, he b paid in land, and furniflied with 
ftll the neceflary inflruments for cuhivating it ; ia 
others, his falary is i6,oco pounds weight of tobacco. 
Befldes this, he receives either about 4s. i id. or fifrf 
bounds of tobacco, for every marriage; and i/. r^/. 
4 i-2rf. or four hundred pounds of tobacco, for every 
^neral fermon, which he is obliged to make over die 
grave of every free man. With all thefe advantages 
mod of the clergy are not contented, becaufe thej 
may be deprived of their benefices by thofe who con« 
ferrcd them. 

At firft the colony was inhabited only by men; foott 
after, they grew defirous of (liaring the fweets of their 
£tuation with female companions. In the beginning 
they gave 98/. 8/. yrf. for every young perfon that was 
brought them, from whom they required no other 
dowry than a certificate of virtue. When the falub- 
rity and fertility of the climate werr afcertained, whole . 
families, and even fome of refpeftable condition went 
over to fettle in Virginia. In time they increafed to 
fuch a degree, that in 1703 there were already 66,606 
white people in the colony* If fince that time they 
have not increafed above a fixth, it muft be attribut^ 
to a pretty confiderable emigration occafioned by the 
arrival of the blacks. 

'Ihe firft of thcfe ilaves were brought into Virginm 

by a Dutch fhip in 162 1. Their number was not con«- 

jSderablc at firft ; but the increafe of them has beea 

ib prodigious fince the btgit\iv\t\^of this century, that 

there arc au prefcnt 1 ic^ooo tit^i^ta Vn ^'^ cc^ws^ ^ 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 133 

which eccafions a double lofs to mankind, firft in ex« * 
bauftitig the population of Africa, and (econdly ia 
prevehting that of the Europeans in America. 

Virginia has neither fortified places nor regular 
troops ; they would be ufelefs in a province, which 
from its fituation and the nature of its produfliona is 
prote£ted both from foreign invafions, and from the 
incurfionsof the favages wandering about this vaft con« 
tinent; who have long been top weak to attack it. 
The militia, which is compofed of all the free mca 
from iixteen to fixty years of age, is fufficient to keep 
the flaves in order. Every county reviews all its troops 
once, and the feparate companies three or four times 
a year. Upon the lead alarm given in any particular 
pare of the country, all the forces in it march, if the/ 
arc out more than two days, they receive pay ; if not 
it ts reckoned a part of their ftated fervice. Such is 
the government of Virginia, and fuch is very nearly 
that of Maryland ; which, after having been included ' 
in this colony, was icparated from it for xeafons • 
which muft be explained. 

3. Maryland is detached from VirginU. 

Charles the Flrft, far from having any avei^om 
for the Catholics, had fome reafoa to proted them^ 
from the zeal, which in hopes of being tolerated, they 
had (hewn for his intsreft. ikit when the accufatwa 
of being favourable to popery had alienated the minds 
of the people from that weak prince, whofc chief aim 
was to eftablifh a defpotic government, he was obliged 
to give theCa^holicsupto the rigour of>the4aws enacted 
. againft them by Henry the Eighth. Tbefe circumllances 
imluced lord Baltimore to feek an afylum in Virginia^ 
where he might be indulged in a liberty o( CQ^V^\t.tv^<^« 
As he found there ao toJeratioa £oc w txc\\i&.^t> ^a^9^i^ 



134 History of the BRrrisit 

which was itfelf intolerant, he formcld the defign of li 
new fettlement in that uninhabited part of the country 
which lay between the river of Potowmack and Pen« 
fylTania. His death which happenied foon after he 
had obtained powers from the crown for peopling * 
this bind, put a ftop to the projeA for that time ; but 
it was refumed for the fame reliffieus motives, by his 
foB* This young nobleman left England in the year 
j633t with two hundred Roman Catholics, moft of 
them of good families* The education they had re- 
^etvedy the caufe of religion for which they left their • 
country, and the fonune which their leader proniifed 
them, prevented thofe dtfturbances wich are but too 
common in infant fetclements. The neighbouring- fa« 
vsCges, prevailed upon by mildnefs and aAs of benefit 
cence coucured with eagernefs to affift the new coloniftt • 
iiiifbrming their fettlement. With this unexpected help 
thefe fortunate perfons, attached to each other by the 
fame principles of religion, and diredled bj the prud- 
ent counfels of their chief, applied themfelves unani« 
moufly to every kind of ufcful labour: the view of the 
peace and happinefs they enjoyed, invited among them 
a number of met> who were per fecuted either for the 
fame religion or for different opinions. 

The Catholics of Maryland gave up at length the ^ 
intolerant principles, of which they themfelves had 
been the viAims after having firft fct the example of 
them, and opened the doors of their colony to all ft€ts 
of what religious principles focver* Baltimore alfa 
|: ranted the moft extenfive civil liberty to every ftrang« 
^er who choofe to purchafe lands in his new colony, 
«he government of which was modelled upon that of 
♦the mother country. 

Thefe wife and generous precautions, however, did 
^ot fccutc the governor, at the time of the iubverfion 
^Mw .axonsLijdij^ from lofing ^lU \kt i\^\% vcA couf- 



SETTLEMENTS .IN AMERICA. j^jf 

ceffions that he had obtained. Deprived of his poC- 
feffions bjr Cromwell, he was reftored to them by 
Charles li after which they were again difputed with 
him. Tho' he was perfectly clear from any reproach. 
- of mal-adminiftration; and though he was extremely 
zealous for the Tramontane do^ines, and much» 
attached to the intereft of the btuarts i yet he had 
the mortification of finding the legality of his charter 
attacked under the arbitrary reign of James II. and ^ 
of being obliged to maintain an adion at law for the 
jurifdiftion of a province which had been ceded to 
him by the crown, and which he bimfelf had peopled- 
This prince, whofe misfortune it had always beea 
never to have known his friends from his foes, and 
who had alfo the ridiculous pride to think that regal 

- authority was fufficient to juftify every a£t of violence, 
svas preparing a fecond time to^deprive Baltimore, of 
what had been given him by two kings, his father and 

. his brother ; when he was hi mfelf removed from the , 
throne which he filled fo ill. The fuccefibr of this 
weak defpotic prince terminated this conted, whicU 
-had arifen before his acceffion to the crown, in a; 
manner worthy of his political pfaaraeter He left the- 
Bciltimores in poflTtrflion of their revenues, but depriv* 
1^ cd them of their authority ; which, ht>\vever, they 
like wife recovered, upon becoming membei^ of the* 

-church of Engtind. 

The province is at prcfent divided into eleven^ coun- 

: ties» and inhabited by 40,000 white men, and 6o,oco 

, blacks. It is governed bj a chief, who is named by 

. the proprietor, and by a coun.cil and two* deputies 

chofen in each county The governor, like the king 

in the other colonies, has a negative voice in all a^s 

. propofed by the .afiembly ^ that b to fay^ the right of 
xeje^ting theou 



I3rt HISTORT OP THE BRITISH 

I • 

4* Virginia and Maryland cultivate the fame 

produSHons. 

If Maryland were re-uoited to Virginia, a$ their 

« common intcreft feems to require, no difference could 

* be found between the two fettlements. They are 

- iituated between Fenfylvania and CarQlina, and oc- 

: cupy the great fpace that extends from the Tea to the 

iVpalachian mountains. The air, which is damp oq 

the coafl, becomes light, pure, and fubtle, as one 

approaches the mountains. The fpriog and autumn 

months are of an excellent temperature : in fummer 

there are fome days exceffively hot, .and in winter 

fome extremely cold ; but neither of thefe excefies 

lafls above a week at a time. The moft disagreeable 

circumAance in the climate is the abundance of nau- 

feous infedls that are found there* 

All the domtflic animals multiply prodigioufly; 
and all forts of fruits, trees, and vegetables, fucceed 
there extremely well. There is the bed corn in all 
America. The foil, which is rich and fertile in the 
low lands, is always good, even in thofe places where 
it becomes more fandy ; more irregular than it is 
defcribed by fome travellers, but tolerably even till 
one comes near the mountains. 

From thefe refervoirs an incredible nuoiber of ri- 
sers flow, moft of which are feparated only by an in- 
terval of five or fix miles, fielides the fertility which 
thefe waters impart to the country they pafs through, 
they alfo make it infinitely more convenient for trade 
than any other part of the new world, from facili- 
tating the communications. 

Moft of thefe rivers have a very extenfive inland 

navigation for merchant-ihips, and fome of them for 

Muen of war* One muy go iit^t wo Vvxadt^d miles 



nnTLEMElfrS IK AMERICTAL '137 

^ Qprthe Fotowmack $ above eighty, np the -Janet, the 
Tork, and the Rapahannock ;> and^ upoa the other 
rivers, to a diftance that variet accordtipg as the ca« 

- tara£b are more or Ie(s diftant fronv their mouths*. 
All thefe navigable canalsr formed by^ nature, meet 
m the bay of Chefapeak, which has from* fin^n to^ 
nine fathom water both at its entrance and in it» 
wholic extent It reaches above two hundred miles 
in the inland parts of the country, and is about twelve 

• miles in its main breadth* Tho' it is fiill of fmail 
Hlands, moft of them covered with wood, it is by no- 
means dangerous ^ and fo large, that all the (hips in< 
the univerfe might ride there with eafe. 

So uncommon an advantage has prevented the* 
formation of any large towns^ in the two colonies ;. 
and accordingly the inhabitants, who were afTured 
that the (hips would come up to their warehoufes, 
and that they might embark their commodities with->- 
out going from their own hou(es,^ have dirperfed. 
themfeives upon the borders of the feverai rivers. la 
this iituation, they found all the pleafures of a rural 
life, united to all the eafe that trade brings into cities ». 
they found the facility of extending their cultivatioa. 
in a country that had no bounds* united.to all the^ 
aiSAance which the fertilization of the lahdt receives: 
from commerce. But the mother country^ fnfiltredt 
M double inconvenience from this difperlibn: of the* 
colonics : fird, becauTe her failors were longer abfeur^ 
by being obliged to colie(5)! their cargoes from* thefe- 
icattered habitations ;. and fecondiy, becaufe their 
ihips are expofed 10 injury from thofe dangerous in- 
ieAs, which in the months of |ufie and July infeft all! 
the rivers of this dtdant region^ The miniftry has; 
therefore negledled na means^ of engaging, the eolon-^ 
lifts to eftabli(h' ftaples for the reception of their coca- 
module^; Ibccoa&gMt of the \ai9i% \a:^ xtfiit >bAi9^ 



138 ./ HBTORT OP THE BRITBH 

more effiA.thao peHbafioD.'' At length, a few years 
-. ftgo, forts were Ordered to be built at the entrance of 
.every river, to proteA the loading and unloading of 
the fhips. ,I£ this projeA had not failed in the exe- 
: ciition from the want of .a fufficient fund, it is pro- 
bable that the inhabitants would have coUeded im- 
perceptibly round each of thefe fortrefies. But it 
may dill be quedioned whether this circumftance 
would not have proved fatal to population, and whe- 
ther agriculture might not have loft as much as com- 
merce would have gained by it. 

Be this as it may, it is certain that there are but 
two towns at prefent of any kind of note in the two 
colonies. Even thofe which are the feat of govern- 
ment are of no. great importance. Williamfburgh 
the capital of Virginia, and Annapolis that of Mary- 
land, the firft rifen upon the ruins of James-town, 
the other upon thofe of St Mary, are neither of them 
fuperlor to one of our common villages. 

As, in all human affairs, every good is attended 
with fome kisd of evil ; fo it has happened, tliat the 
increafe of habitations, by retarding the population 
of towns, has prevented any artifts or manufa£\urers 
• from being formed in either of the provinces. With 
: all the materials neceflary to fupply them with moft of 
their wants, and even with fevei al of their conveni- 
ences, they are ftiJl obliged to draw from Euro|)e 
their cloths, linens, hats, hardware, and even iprni- 
ture of the moft ordinary kind. 

Thefe numerous and general . expences have ex- 
haufted the inhabitants ; befidts which, they have vied . 
with each other in difplayiog every kind of luxury 
before all the Brltifli merchants who viljt their plan- 
tations from motives of commercial intereft. By thefe 
means, they have run fo much in debt whh the mother 
country^ that many, of them have beeu obliged to fell . 

their 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 139 

« their lands ; or, in order ftill to keep pofleffion of 
them, ^o mortgage them at an ufurious intereft of 
eight or nine per cent. 

It will be no ealy matter for the two provinces ever 

. to emerge from this defperate ftatc. Their navy doe» 
not amount to above a thoufand tons ; and all they 
fend to the Carribbee iilands in corn, cattle, and 

. planks, with all they expedite for Europe in hemp^ 
flax, leather, peltry, and walnut- tree or cedar wood, 

. does not bring them a return of more than 43,75 &/• 
The only refource they have left is in tobacco. 

^* Of the TobaccO'-trade, 

ToBicco is a (harp, caudic, and even venbmous 
plant, which has been formerly of great repute, and 
is ftill ufed in medicine. Every body is acquainted 
with the general confumption made of it, by chewing, 
fmoking, or taking fnufF. It was difcovered in the 
year 1526 by the Spaniards, who found it fir(l in the 
Jucatan, a large peniofuU in the gulph. of Mexico, 
from whence it was carried into the neighbouring 
iflands. Soon after, the ufe of it became a m^atter of 
(Kfpute among the learned, which the ignorant alib 
took a part in'; and thus tobacco acquired fome repu- 
tation. By degrees faihion and cu (torn have greatly 
extended its. confumption in all parts of thfe known 
world, : It is. at pEcfent cultivated with more or lefs 
fiiccefs in Europe, Afia, Africa, and feveral parts of 
America.- • : - - . . 

The ftem of this plant is^ ftraight, hairy, and vlfcous ; 

■ and ib ieaves'kre thick, fbbby, an4 of a pale^greea 
colour. .Tiidf isi^eiittrgor at 'thcf bottom than at- the 
fummit 6iFcth&l>lant. -dt- requires a .foil of a goodxiOn- 

.4 MeDce^.but.rkb9t eveny d^p^ and nte.too muck e^* 

■ pofed 



I ■ 



» ' . '.i .* 



140 HISTORY. OF THE BRITISH 

pofcd to inundatioDS. A virgia^foil is very fit for tbis^ 

I vegetable, whieh requires a great dedl of fap. 

The feeds of the tobacco are fown in layers. .WhttO' 

' it has grown to the height oftwo inches, and has got 
at lead half a dozen leaves* it is geady pulled up ia 
damp weather, and tranfplanted with great care into* 
a well- prepared foil, where the plants are placed at 
the diftance of three feet from .each other. Whca 
they are put into the ground with thefe precautions^ 

. their leaves do not fufFer the leaft injury t andall their 
vigour is renewed in four and twenty hours. 

The cultivation of tobacco requires continual atten- 
tion. The weeds which gather about it muft be pluck- 
ed up ; the head of it mufl be cut off when it is the 

' lize of two feet and a half, to prevent it froia grow- 
ing too high; it muft be dripped of all fproutifig: 

i fuckers ^ the leaves which grows too low down upoa 
the ftem, thofe that are in the leaft inclined to decay, 
and thofe which the infedls have touched, muft all be 
removed, and their number reduced to eight or ten> 

. at mod. A iingle induftrious man is able to take care 
of two thoufand five hundred plants, which ought tO' 
yield one thoufand weight of tobacco; k h left about 
four months in the ground. At it advances to ma- 
turity, the pleafant and lively green, colour of its leaves^ 
is changed into a darker hue ; the leaves are alfo cur- 
ved, and the fmell they exhale is increafed; and ex- 
tends to a greater diftaocc* The plant ia then ripe,, 

. and muft be cut. 

The plants, when colle^d', are laid in heaps upoa 
the fame ground that produced them, where they are 
kft to cxfude only for one night The next dajt they 
aie laid up in warehoufes, conftrufted in fuch a man- 
ner that the air may have free accefs to them on all 

• iides. Here they are left feparately fiifpeadjed aa lon^ 

. A time as is neceflary to dry them welL They are 

then; 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 141 

then fpread upon hurdles, and well covered over ; 
where they ferment for a week or two. At Ia(^ they 
ire dripped of their leaves, which are either put into 
barrels, or made up into rolls. The other methods 
of preparing the plant, which vary according to the 
different taftes of the feveral nations that ufe it, have 
nothing to do with its cultivation. 

Of all the countries in which tobacco has been plan- 
ted, there is none where it has anfwered To well as in 
Maryland and Virginia. As it was the only occupa- 
tion of the firft planters, they often cultivated much 
more than they could find a faie for. They were then 
obliged to flop the growth of the plantations in Vir- 
ginia, and to burn a certain number of plants in every 
habitation throughout Mai7land. But in procefs of 
tim^ the ufes of this herb became fo general, that they 
have been obliged to incrcafe the number both of the 
whites and blacks who are employed in preparing it. 
At prefent each of the colonies furniflies nearly an e- 
qual quantity. That from Virginia, which is the mild- 
eft, the moft perfumed, and the deareft, is confum- 
ed in England and in the fouthern parts of Europe. 
That of Maryland is fitter for the northern climates, 
from its cheaphefe^ and even from its coarfeQefs, 
which makes it better adapted to lefs delicate organs. 

As navigation has not yet made the fame progrcTs 
in thefe provinces as in the reft of North America, 
the tobacco is commonly tranfported in the ftiips of 
the mother country. They are very often three, 
four, and even fix months in completing their cargo. 
This delay arifes from feveral very evident caufes,. Firft 
as there are no magazines or general receptacles for 
the tobacco, it is necefiTary to go and fetch it from the 
feveral plantations. Secondly, few planters are able 
to load a whole fliip if they would ; and if they were, 
they would not chufe to venture their whole upon o^e 

bottom. 



142 HISTORY or THE BRITISH 

bottom. In (hort, as the price of the freight is fixed, 
and is alwa3rs the fame whether the articles are ready 

• for embarkation or not, the planters watt till they are 
•prefled by the captains themfelves to haften the ex* 
portation All thefe feveral reafons are the caufe why 
vefiels only of a moderate (ize are generally employed 
upon this fervice. I'he larger they would be, the Ion* 
ger time they would be detained in America. 

Virginia always pays i /. 19/ 4. 1-2^. freight for every 
-barrel of tobacco, and Maryland only 1/. 14/. 5, u^dm 
This difference is owing to the lefs value of the mer- 
chandjfe, and to the greater expedition made in load- 
ing it. The Englifli merchant lofes by the carriage, 
but it is made up to him by the commiflions. As he 
is always employed in all the Tales and purchafes made 
for the coloniils, he is amply compenfated for hit 
lofles and his trouble^ by an allowance of five per ant 
upon thefe commiffions. 

This navigation employs two hundred and fifty 
fhips, which make up 3o,coo tons. They take in a 
hundred thoufand barrels of tobacco from the two 
colonies, which at the rate of eight hundred pounds 
a barrel, make eighty millions of pounds weight, lliat 
part of the commodity that grows between York and 
James rivers, and in (ome other places, is extremely 
dear; but the whole taken upon an average fells only 
for about 2. 1-4/^. a pound in England, which makes 
in all 738,281/. 5J. Beiides the advantage it is of to 
Britain to exchange its manufa^qres to the amount 
of this fum, it gains another by the re-exportation of 
'four.fifths of the tobacco. This alone is an objeA of 
' 442, 968/. 15J. beiides what is to be reckoned for 

• freight and commifiion. 

The cu(lom*houfe duties are a ftill more confider- 
'. able objeA to government. There is a rax of aboHt 
> ^ 1*4 iii upon every {>ound of tobacca that enters the 

king- 



SETTLEMENTS IN' AMERICA. 143 

kiogdoiA." Thisy fuppofing. the whok eighty millidns 
of pounds imported to remain in it, would bring the 
ftate 29O789I24/. i7i* 9. 3*4^. but as four fifths are 
re«exported, and all the duties are remitted upon that 
portion, the public revenue gains only 831 3250/. jox. 
I. i-4(/. Experience teaches, that a third of this muft 
b^ deduced ^ prompt' payoieiit of what the merch- 
ant has a right to be eighteen months in paying, and 
to allow for the fmuggling that is carried on in the 
foMll ports, as-welUas in the large ones. This deduc- 
tion will amonnc to 277,084/. 2i. 1 1. 1-41/. and there 
will confequently remain for the government no more 
thfto 554,168/. 191. 41-2^.' 

>lotwithftaodii^ thefe laft abufes, Virginia and 
Maryland are' much* more advantageous to Great 
Brttainthan the other northerii colonies^ more fo even 
than CarolinAtf 



\ ' CHAR III. 

Of Carolinji. 
]• Origin* 

CAROLINA extends three hundred miles along . 
the coaft, which is two hundred miles broad as 

far as the A palchian mountains. It was difcovered - 
^ by the Spaniards, foon after the firft expeditions in 
^ the new world ; but as they found no gold there to - 

facisfy their avarice, they defpifed it. Admiral Coligny 
^ with more prudence and ability, opened an aiylum 
f there to the induftry of the French proteftants ; but 
f the fanaticifm that purfued them foon deftroyed all: 
[ their ^opes, which were totally loA in the murder of 
I that juft, humane, and enlightened man. Some £ng. 



144 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH'^ 

li(h fucceeded them towards the end of tUe i6th cen-<' 
tury ; who, by an unaccountable caprice, were induc- 
ed to abandon this fertile foil, in order to go and cul- 
tivate a more ungrateful Jand, and in a leU agreeable 
climate. 

2. Syjiem ef religious mni civil gavemmeni eftah^bed 

by Locke. 

There was not a fingle European remaining in 
Carolina, when the lords Bcrkely, Clarendon, Albe- 
marle, Craven, and A(hley, Sir George Carteret, Sir 
William Berkely, and Sir William Colleton, obuined- 
from Charles II. in 1663, a grant of that fine country^ 
The plan of government for this new colony was laid 
down by the famous Locke* A philoibpher who was 
a friend to mankind, and to that moderation and jus- 
tice which ought to be the rule of their aAions, could 
not find better means to oppofe the prevalence of fa- 
naticifm, than by ah unliMited.toUratioh in matters of 
religion ; but not daring openly to attack the preju- 
dices of his time, which weremsuriiich the effeA of the 
virtues as of the crimes of the age, he endeavoured at 
leaft to reconcile them, if poffible, with a principle of 
reafon and humanity. The wild inhabitants of A- 
snerica, faid he, have no ide'a of a revelation \ it would 
therefore, be the height of extravagance to make tbea(i 
fuffer for their ignorance. The. different feds of ^ 
Chridians who might come to people the colony^ 
would, without douht, expeA a liberty of confcience 
there, which priefls and princes refufed them in Eu- 
rope ) nor (hould Jews or Pagans be rt jested on ac- 
count of a blind nefs which lenity and perfuafion might 
contribute to remove. Such was the reafoning of Mr 
Locke with men prejudiced and influenced by opini- 
ons which no one hitherto had taken the liberty to 

call 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 145 

call in queftion. Difgufted with th^ troubles and 
misfortunes which the difierent fyftems of religioii 
had given birth to in Europe, they readiiiy acquiefced 
in the arguments he propofed to them. They admit- 
ted toleration in the i'ame manner as intolerance is re-< 
ceiyed, without examining into the merits of it. The 
only ixilridtion laid upon this faving. principle was^ 
that every perfon claiming the protection of that fet-- 
tlement, fhould at the age of feventeen regifter them- 
felves in fome particular communion. 

The Englifh philofopher was not fo favourable to 
civil liberty. Whether it were, chat thofc who had 
fixed upon him to trace out a plan of government had 
retrained his views, as will be the cafe with every 
•writer who employs iiis pen for great men or minii^ 
ters ; or whether Locke, being more of a metaphyfi^ 
cian than a (latefman, purfued philofophy only la 
thofe traAs which had been opened by Defcartes and 
Leibnitz ; the fame man, who had diflipated and de(^ 
troyed fo many errors in his theory concerning the 
origin of ideas, made but very feeble and uncertaia 
advances in the path of legiflation. The author of a 
work, whofe continuance will render the glory of the 
French nation immortal, even when tyranny (hall have 
broken all the fprings, and all the monuments of the 
genius and merit of a people efteemed by the whole 
world for fo many amiable and brilliant qualities ; 
rven Montefque himfelf, did not perceive that.he was 
making men for governmeotSi inftead of making go- 
vernments for men. 

The code of Carolina, by a fingularity not be ac- 
counted for in an Englifhman and a philofopher, gave 
to the eight proprietors who founded the fettlement 
and to their heirs, not only all the rights of a mouarch, 
but likewifc all the powers of legiflation* 

Vol. L O The 



U6 mSlXJRY OF THE BRITISH 

The c<mrt|* #hfch was compofed of this ibvereign 
body, and was called the Palatine Court, was inveftcd 
with the right of Aominating to all employmems and 
dignities, and even with that of conferring nobility, 
but under new and unprecedented titles. For inftance 
they were to create in each county two Caciques, each 
«f whom was to be pofiefled of twenty- four thoufand 
acres of land : and a Landgrave, who was to be pof- 
fcfled of fourfcore thoufand. The perfons on whom 
thefe honours fhould be beftowed were to compofe 
the upper houfe ; and their pofleffions were made un- 
alienable, a circumAance totally inconfiflent with good 
policy. They had only the right of farming or letting 
^ut a third part of them at the mod for the continu* 
ance of three lives. 

The lower houfe was formed of the deputies from 
the feveral counties and towns. The number of this 
Tcprcfentative body was to be increafed in proportion 
as the colony grew more populous. No tenant was 
to pay more than one fliilling per acre, and evtn this 
rent was redeemable. All the inhabitants, however 
both ilaves and freemen, were under an obligation to 
take arms upon the firft order they fhould receive 
from the Palatine Court. 

It was not long before the faults of a conftitution, 
in which the powers of the ft ate were fo unequally 
<livided, began to difcovcr themfclves. The proprie- 
tary lords, influenced by despotic principles, ufed e- 
Tery endeavour to eftablifh an arbitrary government. 
On the other hand, the colonifts, who were not ig- 
fiorant of the general rights of mankind, e^Kerted 
themfclves with equal zeal to avoid ffrvitude. From 
iihis ftruggic of oppofitc intercfts arofe an inevitsible 
confiiiioli, which put a ft op to every ufeful cflPbrt of 
induftry. 1 he whole province diftra^led with quarrels 
kfSdcntions, and qicnuUs/' was rend^ired incapable of 

making 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 147 

making any progrefs, whatever improfcments had 
been expected from the peculiar advantages of its fi- 
tuation. 

- Nor were thefe evils fufScIent : new ones arofe, as 
if a remedy could only be attained from an excefs of 
grievances. Granville, who, as the oldeft of the pro- 
prittors, was in 1705 fole governor of the colony^ 
formed the refolution of obliging all the non-confor« 
wiiis, who made up two-thirds of the people, toem-* 
brace the forms of worfhip eilablifhed in England. 
This a6t of violonce, though difavowed and rejc^ed by 
the mother country, inflamed the minds of the people- 
In 1720, while this animoiity was dill prevailing, the 
province was attacked by feveral bands of favages, 
driven to. defpair by a continued courfe of the moft 
atrocious infolence and iojudice. Thofe unfortunate 
wretches were all conquered, and all put to the fword : 
but the courage and vigour which this war revived ia 
the breads of the colonics was the prelude to the fall 
of their oppreflbrs* Thofe tyranu haviai> refufed to 
contribute to the expences of an expedition, the im« 
mediate benefits of which they claimed to themfelvesy 
were all, excepting Carteret, who dill prcferved one 
eighth of the country, dripped in 172^ of thtir prero- 
gatives, which they had only koo«vn how to make ant 
81 ufc of They received, however, 23, 625/. by way 
of compenfation. Fro-n this time the crown refumcd 
the government ; and in order to give tUe colony a 
fbretade of its moderation, bcdowed on it the fame 
condicuiion as on others. It was further divided into 
two feparate governments, under the namres of Norcli 
and South Carolina, in order to facilitate the ad mini- 
flraiion of it. It is from this happy period that the 
pjro^erity of this great provioce is to be dated. 

3* ClimaU 



t4l HISTORY OF THE BRlTteH ' 

3. Climate and produce. 

m 

Tbere is notf perhaps, throughoct tUe new world, 
fl dimarc to be compared with that of Carolina* The 
two feafons of the year, which, for the cnoft part, only 
tnoderate the exccilcs of the two others, are here de« 
lightful. The heats of the fummer are not exctiEve; 
Jtnd the cold of the winter it only felt in the mornings 
and evenings. The fogs, which are always common 
upon a coaft of any length, are difperfed before the 
middle of the day. But, on the other hand, here, as 
well as in every other part almofl of America, the 
Uihabitants are fufajeft to fach fudden and violent 
changes of weather, as oblige them to obferve a regu- 
larity in their diet and clothing which would be un« 
neceifary in a more fettled climate. Another ineon- 
^enicnce, peculiar to this tr&A of the northern conti- 
nent, is that of being tormented with hurricanes; 
but thefe are lefs frequent and left violent than in tht 
iflands. 

A vaft, melancholy, uniform, unvaried plain ex* 
tends from the fea-ihore fourfcore or a hundred miles 
within land. From this diftance the country, begin- 
ning to rife, affords a more pleafing profpeA, a purer 
and drier air. This part, before the arrival of th« 
Englifh, was covered with one immenfe foreft, reach- 
ing as far as the Apalachian mountains. It confided 
of large trees growing as nature had caft them, with- 
out order or defign, at unequal diftances, and not en- 
cumbered with underwood ; by which means more 
land could be cleared here in a week, than in feveral 
months amone us. 

The foil of Carolina is very various. On the coaft 
and about the mouths of the rivers, which fall into 
the fea, it is either covered with impracticable and 



SETTLEMENTS DT AMERICA. 149. 

vnhealthful moraiSes ; or made up of » pule, lights 
fanJy, earth, which products nothing. In one p^in^ 
k ii barren to an extreme ; in another^ a<nong the 
Dumberleft (treams that divide the couoti y^ it is ex«- 
ceffively fruitful. At a di(i ince from the co ills, there 
tre found fometimes iarge wallcs of white fand^ 
which produce nothing but pines; at others there are- 
lands, where the oak and the walnut-tree announce 
fertility. Thefe variations ceafe when you get into^ 
the inland parts, and the country every where is^ 
agreeable and rich. 

Admirably adapted at thefe (pots are for the pur«» 
pofes of cultivation, the province does not want others- 
equally favourable for the breeding o£ cattle Thou- 
fands of homed cattle are raifcd here ; which go out 
in the morning, without a herdfman, to feed in the 
woods, and return home at night of their own ac- 
cord. Their hogs, which are fujSered to fatten them- 
felves in the fame manner, are (lill more numerous 
and much better in their kind. But mutton degene- 
rates there both in flefh and wool. For this rcaibn it 
is lefs common. 

In 1723, the whole colonj confined of nor raorr 
ihan four thoufaod white people, and thirty^ twa 
thoufand blacks. Its exportations to other parts of 
America and to Europe did not eicceed z.i6\,\6'J. los. 
Since that time it hath acquired a degree of fpiendour 
which it owes entirely to the enjoyment of liberty. 

South Carolin;^, though it hath fucceeded in* cflab- 
lifliii^ a confkierable barier trade witl^ tbe £a>vages,. 
hath gained a manufa&ure of linens by meana of the^ 
French refugees, and inveniedl a new kind- of (kuff^ by 
mixing the filk it {H'odttce^ witb itt wooS^« yet b its< 
frogrefs principally to>be attnbuccd to the produce q£ 
giccjuul indigPv 

O3 lOm 



lio HISTCMIT OF THE BRITISH 

The fird of there articles vu brought thei 

accident. A fhip, oa iti return From India 

ground on thii coaft. It wai laden with rice ; 

being toflcd on ffaore by the vave», grew u 

Thif uncxpcfled good fortune led tbem to 

cultivation of a commodity which the foil f& 

itfiU to require. For a long time liiile prog 

made in it ; becaufe the colonifls being obligee 

their crops to the mother country, from whei 

were (hipped again for Spain and Portugal 

the confumpiion was, fold them at fo low a pi 

it fcarce anfnered the cxpences of cultirationi 

1730, when a more enlightened minifiry ga 

ptrmiflion to export and fell their grjin them 

foreign markets, an incrcafe of profit has p 

an additional growth of the commodhy. Th 

tity is at prefeni greatly augmented, and ma; 

mure; but whether fo much to the benefit of 

loT\f, it doubtful. Of all produftions, ric 

moil dctrimtntal to the falubriiy of the clii 

Icaft, it hath been cftecnied fo in the Milanef! 

tLe peufaiits on the rict-jjrounds are all of thei 

compleflioncd and dropsical; and in France 

that ariicic hath been tuially prohibited. Eg 

without doubt its precautions againft the ill e 

a jjrsin in other refptfts fo nutiitioiis. Chi 

-alio have its prcfervatives, which .ire fets tjj 

ua-iire, whofe favours are fomciimes attend 

ptrnicicus coufcqucnres. I'crh.ips, jlfi., ut 

ton id zone, where rice grows in the greatcft 

ar.ce, the heat, which makes itflouiifh in ti 

of water, qwickly diCperfts the moili and 

■vapours that exhale from the rire-fitKls. Bu 

cuhttation of rice fliould one day come to be 

^:n Carolma, ibu of indigo wUl make ample 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 151 

This plant, which is a native of Indoflan, was firft 
brought to perfeAion in Mexico and the Leeward 
iflands. It was tried later, and with lefs fuccefs, ia 
South Carolina. This principal ingredient in dying 
is there of fo inferior a quality, that it is fcarce fold 
at half the price it bears in other places. Yet thofe 
who cultivate it do not difpair in time o^ fupplanting 
both the Spaniards and French at every Market The 
goodnefs of their climate, the extent of their lands^ 
the plenty and cheapnefs of their proviCons, the op-i 
portunities they have of fupplying themfelves with 
uteniils and of procuring {laves ; every thing, in fhort^ 
flatters their expectation : and the fame hope has aU 
ways extended itfelf to the inhabitants of North 
Carolina. 

It is well known, that this country was the firft, on 
the continent of the new world, on which the £ngli(h 
landed ; for here is the bay of Roanoak, which Ra* 
leigh took poflcflion of in 1585. A total emigration, 
in a ihort time, left it deftitute of colonifis) nor did 
it begin to be repeopled, even when large fettlements 
were eftablifhed in the neighbouring countries. Wc 
cannot otherwife account for this derelidion, than 
from the obflacles which trading veflels had to en- 
counter in this beautiful region. None of its rivers 
arc deep enough to admit fhips of more than fcvcnty 
or eighty tons. Thofe of greater burden are forced 
to anchor between the continent and fomc adjacent 
lilands. The tenders, which are employed in lading 
and unlading them, augment the expcncc and trouble 
Y)oth of their exports and imports. 

From this circumftancc, probably, it was, that 
Nortf>-Carolina in the beginning was inhabited only 
bf 8 fet of wretches without name, laws, or profef- 
fofl. In proportion as the lands ia the neighbouring 
coboics grew more fcarce^ thofe who were not able 



«n 



152 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

to purcfaafe thcm^ betook tlieinfelves to a coontiy 
"where they could get laods without purchafe. Kcfu«r 
gees oi other kinds availed themielv^ of the facne 
iburce. Order and property became eftabliflied 
the fame time \ apd this colony, with fewer advantages 
than South-Caroiinai obtained a greater number of^ 
European fetders. 

The firft people, whom chance difperfed along 
thefe favage coafts, confined themielves to the breed- 
ing of cattle, and cutting wood, whkh were taken oflT 
their hands by the merchants of Mew £ngland. In a 
fliort time they contrived to make the pine-tree pro- 
duce them turpentine, tar, and pitch* For the tur<p 
pentine, thev had nothing to do but to niake flits io 
the trunk or the tree, about a foot in length, at thf^ 
bottom of which they placed veilcts to receive it* 
When they wanted tar, they raifed a circular platform 
of potter's earth, on which they laid piles of pine^ 
wood : to thefe they fet fire, and the rofin diftilled 
from them into calks placed underneath* The tar 
was converted into pitch, either in great iron pots^ io 
which they boiled ic ^ or in pits formed of potter's 
earth, into which it was poured while in a fluid ftate« 
This labour, however, was not fuiScient for the main* 
tenance of the inhabitants : they then proceeded to 
grow corn ; and for a long time were contented witb 
maize, as their neighbours in South- Carolina were 
obliged to be, where the wheat being fubjed to mil- 
dew, and to exhauft itfelf in ftraw, never throve. But 
feveral experiments having proved to the North* 
Carolinians that they were not liable to the £ime in- 
convenience, they fucceeded fo far in the cukivation of 
that grain, that they were even able to fupply a con* 
fidcrable exporution. Rice and indigo have been but 
lately iatroduced Into thii province^ to joia the haf- 



SITTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 153 

^eRs of Africa and Afia to thofe of Europe. The 
cultivation of them is but yet in its infancy. 

There is ftarce one twentieth part of the territory 
belonging to the two Carolinas that is cleared j and, 
at this time, the only cultivated fpors are thofe which 
are the moflr Tandy and the neareft to the fea Th« 
re^fon why the colonifts have not fettied farther back 
in the country is, that of ten navigable rivers, there 
is not one that will admit (hipping higher than Gxtj 
miles. This inconvenience is not to be remedied but 
by making roads or canals ; and works of that kind 
require (o many hands^ and fo much cxpence and 
and knowledge, that the hopes of fuch an improve- 
ment are ftill very diftant. 

Neither of the colonies, however, have reafon to 
complain of their lot. The impofts, which are all le- 
vied on the exportation and importation of merchan- 
difc, do not exceed, 5,906 /. 51. The pa per- curren- 
cy of North Carolina does not amount to more than 
49,118 /. 15 X and that of South Carolina, which is 
infinitely more wealthy^ is only 146,093 /. 15 x. Neith- 
er of them is in debt to the mother country ; and this 
iidvantage, which is not common even in the Lnglifh 
colonies, they derive from the great amount of their 
cxportations to their neighbouring provinces, the Lee- 
ward iflands, and to Europe. 

In 1754, there were exported from South Carolina, 
fcvcn hundred and fifty-nine barrels of turpentine, 
two thoufand nine hundred and forty. three of tar ; 
five thoufand eight hundred and fixty-nine of pitch 
or rofin ; four hundred and fixteen barrels,of beef ; 
fifteen hundred and fixty of pork ; fixteen thoufand 
four hundred bufhels of Indian corn, and nine thouf- 
and one hundred and fixty-two of peafe ; four thouf- 
and one hundred and eighty tanned hides, and twelve 
hundred in the hair ^ one million one hundred and 
^ forty 



154 HISTORY OF TEIE BRITISH 

forty thoufand planks, two hundred and fi^thoufand 
joids, and three hundred and eighty-five thouran4 
feet of timber ; eight hundred and eighty- two hogs- 
heads of wild deer-ikins \ one hundred and four thoC- 
and fix hundred end eighty-two barrels of rice ; two 
hundred and lixteen thoufaod nine hundred and eigh- 
ty four pounds of indigo. 

In the fame year North Carolina exported fixty-one 
thoufaod five hundred and twenty-eight barrelaof tar^ 
twelve thoufand and fi^ty-five of pitch, and tenthouf* 
and four hundred and twenty-nine of turpentine | 
feven hundred and fixty-two thoufand three hundred 
and thirty planks, and two thoufand fix hundred and 
forty- feven feet of timber ; iixty-on.e thoufand, Bv^ 
hundred bu(hels of wheat, and ten thoufand of peafe; 
three thoufand three hundred barrels of beef and pork 
one hundred hogfheads of tobacco ; ten thoufand hun- 
dred-weight of tanned, hides^ and thirty thoufand fkios 
of different kinds.' 

In the above account, there is not a fingle article 
that has not been confiderably increafed fince that 
time. Several of them have been doubled ; and the 
mod valuable of all, the indigo^ hasmcreafcd to three 
limes the quantity. 

Some produ^ions of North Carolina arc exported 
to Europe and the Caribbces, tho' there is no ftapl^ 
town to receive them, and that Edinton, the ancient 
capital of the province, as well as that which has been 
built in lieu of it upon the river Neus, can fcarce be 
confidered as fmall villages. The largcft and mofl 
valuable part of its exports is conveyed to Charles- 
TOWN, to increafe the riches of South Carolina* 

This town lies, between the two navigable riveni 
Cooper and Afhly ; furroundcd by the moft beauti- 
ful plantations of the colony, of which it is the centre 
and the capital, h is wcU buUt, interfea^d with fc 

. vcral 



srrrLEMENTaS m America. 15$ 

^riil tlgrieeble Areets, and its {brtffieation^ are tolrr^ 
ably regular. The large fortunes that have been made 
there iirotn the acceflion and circulation of its trade, 
muft ncceflaiily have had UStnc influence upon the 
manners of the people: of all the towns in North 
America, it is the one in which the conveniences of 
luxury are mof^ to be xntt with. But the difadvantage 
its road labours under, ok not being able to admit of 
fhips above two hundred tons, will make it lofe its 
prefent iplendor. It will be deferted for PoruRcyal^ 
Which admits hdkXi of all kinds into its harbour, and 
in great numberS' A fettlement hasalread been form- 
ed there, which is continually increafing, and may 
tnoft probably meet with the greateft fucc^fs. Befides 
the produAions of North and South Carolina, that 
will naturally come to its market, it will alfo receive 
thoA: of Georgia^ a colony that has been lately cfia* 
bliihed i&ear it. 



CHAP. IV. 

« 

Of G E O R C I A. 

1. Founddtitn* 

CAROLINA tind Spanifli Florida are feparated 
from each other by a great tradt of land which 
^nctends one hundred and twenty mi'-js from the fea^ 
coaft and three hundred mites from thence to the A^ 
^alchian mountains, and whofe boundaries to the 
north and fouth are the rivers Savannah and Aiata^ 
teaha. The £ngli{h mtniftry had been long deiirous 
of ereAinga coloiiy on thistraA of country, that was 
conddered as dependent upon Carolina. One cf thofe 
inftances of bcMwIcnccy which liberty, the fburce 



is6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH • 

of every patriotic virtue^ renders mor^ frequent i# 
EngUod than in any other country^ ferved to deter- 
mine the views of government with regard to this place. 
A rich and humane citizen, at his death, left the 
whole of hb eilate to fet at liberty fuch'infolvent det>« 
tors as were detained in prlfon by their creditors* Pru- 
dential reafons of policy concurred in the performance 
of this will dictated by humanity ; and the govern- 
ment gave orders, that fuch unhappy prifoners, as 
were releafed, fhould be tranfplanted into that defert 
tountry, that was now intended to be peopled ; it 
was named Georgia, in honour of the reigning fove- 
reign. 

This inftance of refpe^l, the aH>re pleafing as it was 
not the tScSt of flattery, and the execution of a deHgn 
of fo much real advantage to the ftate, were entirely 
the work of the nation. The parliament added 9843^ 
15 J to the eftate left by the will of the citizen; and 
a voluntary fubfcription produced a much more con- 
fiderable Turn. General Oglethrope, a man who had 
diAinguifhed hi(|lfelf in 'the houfe of commons by his 
tafte for great defigns, by his zeal for his country, and 
his pafiion for glory, was fixed upon to direct thefe pub- 
lic tinances, and to carry into execution fo excellent a 
projefk. Defirous of maintaining the reputation he had 
acquired, he chofe to conduct himfelf the firft colon- 
ics that 'were to be fent to Georgia ; where he armed 
in January 17339 and fixed his people on a fpotat tea 
miles difiance from the Tea, in an agreeable and fertile 
plain on the banks of the Savannah. This rifing fet- 
tlement was called Savannah from the name of the 
river ; and incondderable as it was in its infant (hitei 
was, however, to become the capital of a flourifhing 
colony. It confided of no more than one hundred 
perfons ; but, before the end of the year, the number 
was increafcd to 618^ 127 of whouvMd ^ft^igrated U 

ihcir 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 157 

their own expCDce. Three hundred men and 113 
wooieni I02 lads and 83 girls, formed the beginning 
of this new population and the hopes of a numerous 
pofterity. 

This fettlement was increafed in 1735 by the arrival 
of fome Scotch highlanders. Their national courage 
induced them to accept an eftablifhment offered theia 
upon the borders of the Alatamaha,''to defend the 
colony, if neceffary, agaiod the attacks of the neigh- 
bouring Spaniards. Here they built the towns of 
Darien and Fredrica, and feveral of their countrymen 
came over to fettle among them *" 

In the fame year, a great number of proteftants^ 
driven out of Saltzburg by a fanatical prieft, embarked 
for Georgia to enjoy peace and liberty of confcience. 
At firft they fettled on a fpot fituated jud above that 
of the infant colony ; but they afterwards chofe to be 
at a greater diflance, and to go as far down as the 
mouth of the Savannah, where they built a town caU 
led Ehenezer. 

Some Switzers followed the example of the(e wife 
SaltsburgherSy though they had not like them, been 
perfecuted. They alfo fettled on the banks of the 
Savannah ; but at the diflance of four and thirty miles 
from the Germans. Their colony, confiding of a 
hundred habitations, was named Purjhurgh^ from 
Pury their founder, who, having been at the expence 
of their fettlement, was defervedly choien their chiefi^ 
in tedimony of their gratitude to. him. 

In thefe four or five colonies, fome men were 
found more inclined to trade than agriculture. Theie 
therefore, feparated from the red in order to build 
the city Augufia, two hundred and thirty- fix miles 
didant from the ocean. The goodnefs of the foil» 
though excellent in itfelf^ was not the motive of their 
£xiog upon this fituation \ but the facilky it afforded 
Voi. L P ^^\aw 



158 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

them of carryinfl {m the peltrj trade with the favages. 
Their project wm fo fuccefsful, that as'earljr as the 
year 1739) fix hundred people were employed in thif 
commerce. The fale of the ikins was with much 
greater facility carried on from the circumflance of 
the Savannah admitting the largeft ihips to fail upon 
it as far as the walls of Auguda. 

I'he mother country ought, one would ionagine, to 
have formed great expectations from a colony, where 
ihe had fent near five thoufand men, and laid out 64, 
5^68/. 151. independent of the voluntary contributions 
that had been raifed by zeal9us patriots. But to her 
great furprife, fhe received information in 1741, that 
there remained fcarce a fixth part of that numerous 
colony fent to Georgia ; who being now totally dis- 
couraged, Teemed only defirous to fix in a more fa- 
'vourable fituation. The reafons of thefe calamities 
were inqjiiired into and difcovered. 

a. Impediments that have prevented the progre/s of 

Georgia. 

This colony, even in its infancy, brought with it 
the feeds of its decay. The government, together 
with the property of Georgia, had been ceded to indi*«. 
viduals. The example of Carolina ought to have pre- 
sented this Imprudent fchem , but nations as well as 
individuals do not learn inflru^Aion from paf^mifcon- 
dii^. An enlightened government, tho' checked by 
the watchful eye of the people, is not always able to 
guard againll: every mifufe of its confidence. Ihe 
Englifh miniQry, though zealoufly attached to the 
common welfare, AcriHced the public interefk to the 
rapacious views of intercfted individuals. 

The firit ufe that the proprietors of Georgia made of 
lSd£ unlimited power they were invefied with, was to 



SET rLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 1^9 

eftablifh a fyflem oFlcgiflation, that made thecn entire* 
ly tnalters not only of the police, juftice, and finances 
of the country, but even of the lives and e(^ates of its 
inhabitants. Every fpecies of right was withdrawn 
from the people, who are the original poflefTors of thenx 
all. Obedience was required of the people, though 
contrary to their interelt and knowledge ; and it was 
confidered herCi as in other countries, as their duty 
and their fate. 

As great inconveniences had been found to arife in 
other colonies frocn large pofleflions, it was thought 
proper in Georgia to allow each family only fifty acres 
of land ; which they were not permitted to mortgage^ 
or even to difpofe of by will to their female ifilie^ 
This ial^ regulation of making only the male ifiiie ca- 
pable of inheritance, was foon abolifbed ; but there 
itill remained too many obllacles to excite a fpirit of 
emulation. It feldom happens, that a man refolves to 
leave his country but upon the profpeA of fome great 
advantage that works ftrongly upon his imagination. 
Whatever limits are prefcribed to his indu(lry, are» 
therefore, fo many checks which prevent him from 
engaging in any proje^. The boundaries afBgned to 
every plantation mu(t necefiarily have produced this 
b id effcft. Several other errors IHII affc^ed the origi* 
nal plan of this colony, which prevented its increafe. 

The taxes impofed upon the mod fertile of the Bri- 
tifh colonies, arc very inconfidcrable ; and even ihefe 
are not levied till the fettlcments have acquired fome 
degree of vigour and profpcrity. From this infant 
ftaie, Georgia had been fubje«^tcd to the fines of a 
feudal government, with which it had been as it were 
fettered. The revenues raifed by this kind of fervice 
increafed prodigioufly, in proportion as the colony 
extended itfelf. The founders of it, blinded bv a 
fpirit Off avidity^ did not perceive^ that the fa>aileft 



i6o HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

duty impofed upon the trade of a populous and 
fiourifliing province, would much fooner enrich ihem 
than the largcA fines laid upon a barren and uncul- 
tivated country. 

To this fpccies of opprcflion was added another; 
whichy however incredible it may appear, might arife 
from a fpirit of benevolence. The planters of Georgia 
vrere not allowedthe ufe of flaves. Carolina and fome 
other colonics having been eHablifhed viithout their 
affidance, it was thought, that a countiy, deftined 
to be the bulwark of thofe American pofIeffionS| 
ought not to be peopled by a fet of flavesi who could 
not be in the lea(\ intereiled in the defence of their 
opprcffors. But it was not at the fame time forefeen^ 
that colonills, who were lefs favoured by the mother 
country than their neighbours who were iituated in a 
couiuiy lefs fufceptiblc of tillage and in a hotter cli- 
mate, would want Arength ^nd fpirit to undertake a 
cultivation that required greater encouragement. 

The indolence which fo many qbAacies gave rife to, 
found a further ezcufe, in another phohibition that 
had been impofed. The diAuibances produced by the 
ufe of fpirituous liquors over.ftU the continent of North 
J^merica, induced the fonj^crs of Georgia to forbid 
the importation of cum* ^This prohibition^ though 
well intended, deprived the colonics of the only liquor 
that could correct the bad qualities of the waters of 
the country, that were generally unwholefome ; and 
of the only means they had to r«ftore the wafte of 
ilrength and fpirits that muft be the confequence of 
inceflant labour. Befides this, it prevented their com- 
merce with the Antilles ; as they could not go thither 
to barter their wood, corn, and cattle, that ought to 
have been their moft yaluable commodities, in return 
for the rum of thofe iflands. 

The 



SfeTTLEMENTS iKf AMERICA. i«!i 

The mother counciy at length perceived ho\¥ much 
thefe defeats in the political regulations and inlb'tutiont 
had prevented the increafe of the colony, and freed 
them from the reftraints thej bad before been dogged 
with ; and the government in Greorgia wa fettled up- 
on the fame plan as that which had rendered Carolina 
fo flourifhing ; and, inflead of being dependent on a 
few individuals, became one of the national poflc^IIi-' 
on$« 

Though this colony has not fo cxtenfive a territo* 
rjf fo temperate a climate, nor fo fertile a foil, as the 
neighbouring province ; and though it can never bc: 
fb flouriibing as Carolina, notwithftanding it culti- 
vates rice, indigo, and almoft all the fame prcdu^ons ^ 
yet it will become advantageous to the mother coun- 
try, when the apprehenfions arifing from the tyranny 
ot its government, which have with reafon prevented 
people from fettling there, are removed. It will one 
day no longer be averted, that Georgia is the leaf!: po«» 
pulous of all the Engliih colonies upon the continent, 
notwithdanding the fuccours government has fo am- 
ply beflowed upon it. All thefe advantages will for- 
tunately be increafed by the acquisition of Florida ; at 
province which from its vicinity mud ncceflarily in- 
fluence the profperity of Georgia, and which claims 
our attention for dill more important reafoos. 



Tj CHAP. 



■>>^v 



«>;w- 



i6x HISTORY OF THE BRmSH 

CHAP. V. 
Of Florida. 

I H\fiory (/ Fhrida. Its ccjion/ram the Spaniards <i 

tie Bnti/b, 

UNder the name of Florida, the ambition of Spain 
comprehended all that tra^ of land in America 
^hich extends from Mexico to the mod northernjIiB- 
gions. But fortune, which fports with the vanity of 
jtationti has long fincc confined this vague defcription 
to the peninfula formed by the fca on the channel of 
Bahama, between Georgia and LouiHana. TheSpani- 
ardt| who had often fatisfied themfelves in preveodng 
the population of a country they could not inhabit 
themfelves, were defirous in 1565 of fettling on this 
fpot, after having driven the French from it, who had 
begun the year before to forth a fmall edabliihmcat 
there. 

The mod eafterly fettlcment in this colony was 
known by the name of St.Mattheo. The conquerors 
would have abandoned it, notwithdanding it was fitil- 
atcd on a navigable river at two leagues dii^ance from 
the fca, in an agreeable and fertile foil, had they not 
difcovcrcd the S-ifTjifras upon it. 

This tree, a native of An^erica, is better in Flori- 
da than in any other part of that continent, *lt grows 
ccjualiy on the borders of the fua and upc'ii the moun- 
tains; but always in a ioil that is nciihcr too dry, nor 
too damp. It is ftraight and lofiy, like the fir-tree, 
without branches, and its top is formed fomewhat in 
the iliape of a cup. It is an ever«green^ and its^aves 
refemble tbofe of the laurcL lu flower^ irflicli it 



fflETTLEMENrS IN AMERICA. itfj 

JieUow, it tAken as the mullein and tea in infulion. 
ts root, wliich is well known in trade, being very 
ferviceable in medicine, ought to be I'pungy, light, 
of a greyifti colour; of a (harp, fwcetifh, and aroma- 
tic tafle ; and iliouid have the fmell of the fennel and 
anife. Thefe qualities give it the virtue of promoting 
perfpiration, lefolving thick and viicous humours, 
and relieving pailies and catarrhs. It was formerly 
much ufed in venereal complaints. 

The firll Spaniards who fettled there, would pro- 
bably have fallen a facriHcc to this lad diforder, but 
for the afGflance of this powerful remedy j they would 
at lead, not have recovered from thofe dangerous 
fie vers they were generally fubject to at St MattheOi 
whether in confequencc of the food of the country qfc/- 
the badnefs of the waters. But the favages taught ' 
them, that by drinking, in a morning failing, and at 
their meals, water in which faflafras had been boiled, 
they might certainly depend upon a fpecdy recovery. 
The experiment, upon trial, proved fucccfsful. But 
ft ill the village never emerged from the obfcurity and 
diftrefs which were, undoubtedly, the natural and in« 
furmountable conltquences that attended the conque- 
rors of the new world. 

Another eftablilhment was formed upon the facne 
coaft, at fifteen leagues diflance from St Matthco,^ 
known by the name of St Auguftine. The Englifli 
attacked it in 1747, but were obliged to give up their 
Attempts Some Scotch Highlanders, who were delir- 
ous of covering the retreat of tlic aflailants, were rft- 
pulfed and flai;i. A ftrgeam, who fought among the 
Sp.inianis. who fpared by the Indian favages, only 
that he might be refcrved to undergo thofe torment* 
^hich they inflift upon their prifoners. This man, 
M is ikklj ou feeing the horrrid tortures that awaited 

hiiu^ 



itf4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

him, addreflrd the blood^thirfty multhude in th6 
following manner : 

•* Herots and patriarchs of the weftern world, you 
" were not the enemies I fought for ; but you have 
'' at lad been the conquerors. The chance of war 
" has thrown me in your power. Make what ufe 
•* you pleafe of the right of conqueft. This is a 
*' right I do not call in queftion. But as it is cuf- 
*' tomary in my country to offer a ranfom for one's 
•* life, liften to a propofal not unworthy your notice. 

" Know then, valiant Americans, that in the 
** country of which I am a native, there are fome 
** men who poflefs a fuperior knowledge of the ie- 
'* crets of nature. One of thofe iages, connected to 
•• me by the tics of kindred, imparted to me, when I 
" became a foldier, a charm to make me invulnerable* 
** You muft have obferved how I have efcaped all 
** your darts : without fuch a charm, would it have 
** been pofliblc for me to have furvivcd all the oior* 
** tal blows you have aimed at me? For I appeal to 
•* your own valour, to rcTtify that mine has fuSicient- 
*• ly exerted itfelf, and has not avoided any danger* 
•• Life is not fo much the obje£t of my requeft, as the 
•* glory of having communicated to you a fecret of 
** fo much conCequence to your fafety, and of retl« 
•* dcring the moft valiant nation upon the earth, in- 
•' vincible. hiifFcr me only to have one of my hands 
" at liberty, in order to perform tlie c^emonies of 
^ inchantrnc.nt, of v/hich I will now make trial on 
•* myfelf before you ** 

Tlie Indians Ii(\ened with eagernefs to this difconrfe^ 
which was flattering both to their warlike character 
and their turn for the marvellous. After a (hort con- 
fultation, they untied one of the priibner's arms* The 
Highlander begged that they would pot bir;broad 
fwoi d into the hands of the moft expert and ftoutcA 

MBOBg 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 165 

among them ; and at the fame time laying bare his 
neck, after having rubbed it, and muttering fome 
words accompanied with magic (igns, he cried aloud 
with a cheerful countenance: ** Obferve now, O va- 
** liant Indians, an incontedable proof of my honeOy* 
** Thou warrior, who now holds my keen- cutting 
** weapon, do thou now (Irike with all thy llrength : 
•* far from being able to fever my head from my body, 
•' thou wilt not even wound the fkin of my neck." 

He had fcarcely fpoke thefe words, when the Indian, 
aiming the moft violent blow, f^ruck off the head of 
the fergeant to the didance of twenty feet. The fa« 
vages, a AoniQied, flood motionlefs, viewing the bloody 
corple of the Aranger, and then turning their eyes 
upon one another, as if to reproach each other with 
their blind credulity. But admiring the arti6ce the 
prifoner had made ufe of to avoid the torture by had- 
ening his death, they beflowed on his body the funeral 
honours of their country. If this fa£l, the date \>f 
which is too recent to admit of credit, has not all the 
marks of authenticity it fl\ould have, it will only be 
one faifehood more to be added to the accounts of 
travellers. 

. The Spaniards, who in all their progress through 
^paerica, were more employed in deftroying the in* 
nabitants than in conftrutfling of buildings, had form- 
ed only thofe two fettlements we have taken notice of 
at the mouth of the channel of Bahama* At four- 
(core leagues didance from St Auguftine, upon the 
entrance of the guiph of Mexico, they had raifed that 
of St Mark, at the mouth of the river Apalache. But 
this fitvation, well adapted to maintain a communica- 
tion between the two continents of the new world, had 
already lo0 all the little confequence it had at firft ob« 
tained, when the Engliih fettled at Carolina in 1704, 
and entirely deftroyed iu 

At 



>. 



t66 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

At the didance of thirty leagues further, was ancK 
ther colony, known by the name of i>t Jofcph, but of 
lefs confequence than that of St Mark. Situated on a 
flat cozily and expofed to every wind, and on a barren 
foil and an uncultivated country, it was the hH place 
where one might expedl to meet with inhabitants. But 
avarice being frequently a dupe to ignorance^ fome 
Spaniards fettled there. 

Thofe Spaniards who had formed an cftablifhment 
at the bay of Penfacola uppn the borders of Louifiana^ 
were at leaft hiippier in their choice of fituation The -^ 
foil was fufceptibie of culture ; and there was a rotf 
which had it been a little deeper at its entrance, tnignt 
have been thought, a good one, if the be ft mips that 
arrived there had not fbon been worm-eaten. 
' Thefe five colonies, fcattered over a fpace fufficient 
to have formed a great kingdom, did not contain more 
than three thouiand inhabitants furpafling each other 
in floth and poverty, rhey^were all fupported }^f the 

Eroduce of their cattle. The hides they fold at the 
[avannah, and the provifions with which they ferved 
their garrifon, whofe pay amounted to 32,822!. fos. 
enabled them to purchafe cloths and whatever elfe 
their foil did not furnifh them with. Notwithftanding 
the miferable ftatc in which they had been left by the 
mother country, the grcateft part of them chofe to 
go to Cuba, when Florida was ct6ed to Britain by the 
treaty of 1763. I his acquifition, therefore. Was no 
more than a defart; yet ftill it was fome advantage to 
have got rid of a number of lazy, indolcnti and dii^ 
afie^ed inhabitants. 

Great Britain was pleafed with the profpeft of peop« 
ling a vni\ province, whofe limits hjve been extended 
even to the Miffifippi by the ceiEon France has made 
of part of Louiiiana. The better to fulfil her proje<ft 

4U^ 



SETILEMENTS IN AMERICA. tij 

fhe has divided it into two goveromcnts^ under the 
names of Eaft and Weft FJorida. 

The Britifh had long been defirous of eftabli(hing 
themfelvcs in that part of th,e continent^ 'in order to 
open a free communication with the wealthieft colon- 
ies of Spain. At firft they had no other view but in 
the profits ariitng from a contraband trade. But an 
advantage fo precarious and momentary, was not an 
obje£t of fufEcient importancCi nor any way fuitable 
to the ambition of a great power. Cultivation alone 
can render the iconquefts of an induftrious people 
flpurilhing. Senfible of this, the Britifh give every 
encouragement to promote culture in the finefl parts 
of their dominions* In one year, 1769, the parlia- 
ment voted no lefs than 9,007 1. 10 s. 7. i»2d. for the 
two Floridas. * Here, at leail, the mother for fome 
time ad/nini{lers to her new-born children ; whereas, 
in other nations, the government fucks and exhaufts 
at the fame time the milk of the mother country and 
the blood of the colonies. 

2. By i»iat meani Britain may render Florida ufeful 

•* to her* 

It b not eafy to determine, to what degree of iplen* 
dour this indulgencci with time and good management 
may raife the Floridas. Appearances, however, are 
highly promifing. The air is healthy, and the foil fit 
for every kind of grain. . Their firfl trials of rice, cot- 
ton, and indigo, were attended with fuch fuccefs, that 
the number of colon ifls was greatly increafed by it. 
They pour in from the neighbouring provinces, the 
mother country, and all the Frotef^ant dominions in 
Europe How greatly might this population be in- 
creafed, it the fovercigns of North America would 
iUpart from the maxims they have uniformly purfued^ 

and 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. i6i) 

him a prefent of brandy. Some IroquoiS| who were 
ilanding round their chief, fhuddered at the fight of 
this liquor* Not doubting that it was poifoned, they 
iniiiled that he (hould not accept fo fufpicious a pre- 
fent. " How can it be," faid their leader, " that a man 
** who knows my efteem for him, and the fignal fer- 
** vices 1 have done him, fhould entertain a thought 
■* of taking away my life ?" Saying this, he received 
and drank the brandy with a confidence equal to that 
of the mod renowned hero of antiquity. 

By many inftances of magnanimity Similar to thrs^ 
the eyes of the favage nations had all been fixed upoa 
Poodiack. His defign was to unite them in a body 
for the defence of their lands and independence. Se- 
veraF unfortunate circum (lances concurred to defeat 
this grand proje<El ; but it may be refumcd, and it is 
Dot impofiible but it may fucceed. Should this be the 
cafe, the Englifh will be under a neceffity of protect- 
ing their frontier againfi: an enemy, that hath none 
of thofe expences to fufVain, or evils to dread, which 
war brings with it among civilized nations ; and will 
find the advantages they have promifed themfelves 
from conquefts made at the expence of fo muchtrea- 
iure and fo much blood, confidcrably retardedj at 
leaft, If not ,eatirely cut off. 



^>CD OF THE FIRST VOLXTN^. 



I. 



Too.. I. t^ 



Philoso?kicaIi and PotiTiCAti 

HISTORY 



09 TBI 



BRITISH SETTLEMENTS akb TKADJ^r 



IM 



AMERICA^ 



▼ O L t7 M X B. 



k« i • * I 






• PI .-' • . • 



.ill %. 



;• () 



'T' 



i: I ii 



. 



I ■ * 



• 



• . . . w> A 












• • • i V 



• '•, 



X 



rRii>ot«»HrcAi. m4 roLirtcAt 

HISTORY 

O F T H B 

BRITISH 

Settiemeivts and Trade ia America, 

^ : .! . 

BOOK HI. 

OF CANADA^ AC(KJ1RED, KROHS TBSr 

FR&NCUL 

C H iA P. t 

Faci of the C^rmtry. Qimate Govtrnrnenf^ tnfimnf^ 
virtue^ 0nd vUei^ of tti Jhdianu 

THE unbounded fpace tbae opened* it(e)f' tcthe 
view ol cbe firft fettlcrs> difcovered only darlc 
thick, and deep forelW, whofe^ heighff alone was^ 
a proof of their aotiqiaitf. Numberlefr largp nrtvp 
came dowaF frocn> » con&leFabie dilbuKe* ro^ water 
idicfe ioimenfe regions^ The» intervals between^ thenv 
were full of lakes*- Four of thefe meaitired^ firof& t wo» 
to five hundred leagues> round; Fheik fopt of inlaodl 
fcas comm undated with each other ^ aixi their wavers^ 
•f ter formiag the gmeat river St Lavmrence, eoniider*' 
. aUy increafed the bed of the octam Evorjp thing. iciiL 
iUt f mtt SM 9£ ilie new woff^ aj^geaccdi ^^!c^^ ^^<9L 



174 HISTORY C* THE BRITISH 

fublinoe. . Nature here difplaycd foqh Im^iinaiicy a 
majefty as commanded veneration; and a ihoufa 
xtrftld- graces, far fuperiortO: the artificial beauties 
our.climatrs. Here the ioa^giDatipin of aipaintj|r p 
poet would have been raifed, animated, and BWm 
^ith thofe ideas which leave a lairing impreffionon iT 
mind. All thefe countries exlialed an air fit to pr 
long life. This temperature, which from the pofitii 
of the Climate tnufk iiave been extreinrly pleatfant, li 
nothing of its wholefomenefs by the fingular fever 




1. 



of a long and intcnfe winter. Thofe who impute t—Ji/g 
iingularity merely to the woods, fprings and mouiz /i« 
Tains, whh which this country abounds, have ciof / 
taken every thing into confideration. Others add to f * 
thefe caufes of the cold, the elevation of the land, a 
pure ae'vial atmofphcre feldom loaded with vapours^ 
and the dfred^ion of the winds which blow from aorth 
to fouth over the frozen feas. - 

Yet the inhabitants of this fharp climate were but 
thinly clad. A cloak of buffalo or beaver ikin, bound 
widi a leathern girdle, and ftocktngs made of roe- buck 
fkin, was the whole of their dVefs before their kiter- 
courfe with us. What they have added fince gives 
great offence to their old men, who ate ever lament- 
ing the degeneracy of their manners. 

Few of thefe favages knew any thing of hufbandry: 
they only cultivated maize; and that they left entirely 
to the management of the women, as being benc^h 
the dignity of independent men. Their bittercft im- 
precation againft an enemy was, that he might be in- 
duced to tiU the ground. Sometiirtcs the^ would con- 
tlefccnd to go a- fifhing j but the employment of their 
life and their gtory was hunting. For this purp<ikfe 
the whole natron went out as they did to waf; evefry 
faa^\ji every hut, marched in fearch of fuftenance. 
Thcj prepared for the expedition bjr {csevt^hfk'mg, 

aad 



S«TTL8MENTS IN AMERICA, ^yy 

^*nd never ftirred out tj4 they had implored th'cifliit- 

-i«nce of their god \' they did not pray for (Irengtb'to 

Icill the bea(ls« but that they might be fo fortunate as 

to meet with them, bio perfons ilaid at home, except 

~lniirm and old men; all the ref^ fallied forth, the naea 

-to kill the game, and the women to dry and bring it 

home. They imagined that the winter was the fineft 

ieafon of the year: the bear, the roe-buck| the ftag 

and the elk, could not then run with any degree of 

fwiftnefs through fnow that was four or five feet deep^ 

on the ground. The favages, who were ftopt neither 

by the bufhes, the torrents, the ponds, nor the rivers^^ 

. and who could out* run moft of the fwifter animalt^ 

were feldom unfuccefsful in the chace. When they 

failed in their fport, they lived upon acorns ; and for 

want of thefei they fed upon the fap or inner ikin that 

grows between the wood and the bark of the afpen« 

tree and the birch. 

In the interval between their hunting parties, they 
made or mended their bows and arrows, the rackety 
for running upon the'^fnow, and the canoes for crof- 
fing the lakes and rivers. Thefe travelling implements 
and a few earthen pots, were all the arts of thefe wan- 
dering nations. Thofe among them who were col* 
kdted in towns, added to thefe the labours requifite to 
their fedentary way of life, for the fencing of their 
huts, and'fecuring them from being attacked. The 
favages then gave thcmfeWes up to a total ina<^ion, in 
the -nloft profound fecuriiy. This people, content 
with their lot, and fatisficd with what nature afforded 
- them, were unacquainted with that rcftlefsnefs whicb 
arifes from a fenfe of eur own weaknefs, that loath- 
ing' of our felvcs a-nd every thing about us, that nccef- 
firy of flying fi^om folhude, and eafing ourfelves of the 
' bi]a^cn Qf life by throwing it upoa others. 



9j6 HISTORT OP THE BRmSf 

Their fiamre in geaend wai beaodfuUy prapofciof^ 
tA I but they had more vgilicy ciraa ftrofigch, fi^d verf^ 
tietcer calculated for fwif toeTs than bard laboiir. Their 
4eatares were regular, with that fierce couoteaancf^ 
^hich tbey contracted in war aad hunting. Their 
<omple3uon was copper- colour ; and thef h^d >< fraapi 
nature, which tans all men who are cooftantly expoC- 
.cd to the open air. ihia comple?iioa waf rendered 
•fiill more difagreeaWe by the abfurd cuftom t^ ^ 
•favage^ have (>f paintiog their bodies and £acep^ ekbef 
«o diftinguiffa each other at a diftanpe, or to fii^k^ 
tthemfclf cs more agreeable to their miftrefles, or morp- 
formidable in war. ikiides this varoiih^ they cnbbe^ 
themfelves whh the fat of <{aadrupcdis^ or dke oil of 
fifh, which prevented the intolerable ftings of gnat* 
and infeAs that fwarm in oncultivated countriesw 
Thefe ointments were .prepared and mixed up wiib 
certain red juices which are fuppofed to be a deadly 
poifbn to the molchettoea. To thefe fcveral methods 
of anohaing tbem^felves, which penetrate and di&oi- 
cur the ikin, may be adde^ the fumigatioiM they made 
rn thehr hms to keep offlhoie infedis, and ^e fmol^ 
of the fires they kept all winter to warm themfelves, 
and to dry their meat. This was iufficient ta oaal^ 
them appear frightful toocnr people, though they un- 
doubtedly rmagined that it stdded to their beattty* 
Their fight, fmell, and hearing, and all their fimfcsr 
were remarkably quick, and gave them early notice of 
their dangers atKi wants. Thefe were few, but their 
flckneflcs were i^ill fewer. They harcMy knew of apy 
bat what were occaftoned by too viirient exercife^ off; 
eating loo much after long abflinence. *" 

Their popoiatton wa» but moderate; andpofltUy^ 

this migbt.be an advantage them* Poliihed nations 

muft wifla for an increafe of population ; becaufcy .a»> 

Mh^ ane foveracd by ambitiottS' nilcrS| the more io- 

diocd 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 177 

incd to war from not being perfonaJly engaged in it 
ey are under a neceffity of fighting, either to inviide 
repulfe their neighbours :.and bccaufe they never 
Lve a fufficient extent of territory to fatisfy their en- 
rprifing and exi>enfive way of living. But uncon* 
i\ed nationS|\vho are always wandering,and guarded 
' the defarts which divide them ; who can fly whea 
ey are attacked, and whoiie poverty prefcrves them 
om committing or fuffering any injuilice*, fuch fa- 
^•nations had no occafion to multiply. ' If they 
e but able to refid the wild beaAs, ocafionally to drive 
ray an inifgraScant eaemy, and mutually to affiil 
ch otlier, nothing nioi*e is required. If they were 
ore populous, they would the Ibooer have exhauft- 
L the countries they, inhabit^ and be forced to remove 
fearch .of others ; the only, or at lead the greateft^ 
isfortune attending their precarious way of life. 
Independent of thefc xefle£tions, which, poffiblj^ 
d' not occur fo Itrongly to the favagfcs of Canada^ 
e nature of things was alone fufficient to check their 
creafoi Tho' they lived in a country abounding 
game andii(b| yet in fome feafons, and . fome times 
r whole years, this iingle refource failed them : and 
hibie. then made a dreadful havock* among people 
ho were at too great a diftance to affift each othef. 
aSeir wars or tranfient hoftilities, the refult of old 
riidoiitiesi were very deArudive. Men conftantly ao* 
iftomed to hunt their prey, to tear in pieces the 
imal thtfy had overtaken, to hear the cries of deatk 
id fee the fhedding of blood, muft have been ftill 
ore unmerciful in war, if poffible, than our own 
ople. lii a word, notwithdanding all that has beeft 
d in favour of inuring children to hardfliipt, and 
lich miiled Peter the Great to fuch a degree, that 
I ordered that none .of his .failora children (hould 
ink any thing but fea water } an experiment vfikhk 



ij$ HISTORY OF THE BIUTISH 

proved faul to all who tried it; it i$ certain, that 9 
great many young favages perilhed thro* hunger, 
thirit, cold, and fjtigue. Isven thofe whofe coniHcU'* 
tion was ftrong enough to bear the ufual exercifes of 
thofe climatesy to fwini over the broadeli rivers, to gQ 
two hundred leagues on a hunting party, to live manj 
days without fleep, to fubfift a confiderable time with* 
out any food ; fuch men muft have been exhaufted, 
and totally unfit for the purpofes of generation. Few 
lived fo long as our people, who lead a more aoifbroa 
and quiet life. 

The aufterity of a Spartan education, the cuftoos 
of inuring children to hard, labour and coarfi: food^ 
has been productive of dangerous milUkes. Philofo* 
phers, deHrous of alleviating the miferies incident XQ 
mankind, have endeavoured to comfort the wretched 
who have been doomed to a life of hardships, by 
perfuading them that it was the mod wholefome and 
the heft. The rich have eagerly adopted a fyfteoa 
which hardened their hearts a{*ain(^ the fudbrings of 
the poor, and excufed them from the duties of humar 
ntty and compaffion. But it is a miftake to iaiagioe 
that men who are employed in the more laboriotts arci 
of fociety, fhould live as long as thofe who enjof th^ 
fruit of their toil. Moderate labour ftreogthsna the 
human frame, exceiEve labour impairs it. A pcniaat 
is an old man atfixry ; whiHt the inhabitants or tOWoa 
who live in affluence and wick fomc degree of oaadfliw 
ation, frequently attain to fourfcore and upwards 
Even men of letters, whofe employincnts are by n0 
meaoa conducive to health, afford many inftancet of 
longevity. Let not our modem produAioos propap 
gate this falfe and cruel error, and encourage the rich 
to difregard the groans of the poor, and transfer aU 
their fenfibilky from their vai&ls to their dogs an4 

Three 



SETTLEMENTS IN AI^ffiRICA; 179 

Tbrae originill languages were fpoken in Canada 1 
die Algonqaio, the Sioux, and the Huron. Thtj. 
were confide^ed as primitiye languagesi becaufe each 
of them contained oianr of ihofe imitative words, 
which convey an idea of things bf the found. The 
^laleAs derived from them wereipiearly as many as their 
towns. • No abftruie terms were found in thofe lan« 
^ages, becaufe the infant mindof the favages feldoia 
^oes beyond the.pre&nt obje£k and the preTent time 1 
and as thev have hut few ideas, they feldom need to 
veprefent (everal under one and the lame fign. Befides, 
the language of theie people, generally ariiing from a 
^uick, fingle, and ftrong feofation, excited by the 
{teat fcenes of nature, contraAed a lively and poetical 
€aft in their ftrong and aAive imagination. The a£* 
conifhment and admiration which their very ignorance 
^excited, gave them a ftrong propenfity to exaggerati^* 
on. Their ibul exprefied what their eyes faw; their 
language painted, as it were, natural obje£ls in ftrong 
•colouring, and dieir difcourfes were quite pi^hirefque. 
For want of terms agreed upon to denote certain com* 
Ooutid ideas, they made ufe of figurative expreffions* 
What was ftill wanting in fpeech, they fupplied by their 
^eftures, -their attitudes, their bodily motions, and the 
modulations of the voice. The boldeft metaphors were 
more familiar to them in common converfation, thaa 
they are even in epic poetry in the European languages. 
Their fpeeches in public afiemblies, efpecially, were 
full of images, energy, and pathos. No Greek or t. 
floman orator ^everf poke, perhaps, wkh more ftrcngthi . 
•and fubHmity than one of their chieft. Our people 
wanted to pcrfuade them to remove at a diftance frofi\ 
their native ibil. IfV wert Scrn, faid he, on this ground \ 
0ur fdihirsiie buried in it. SialJ we Jay to the bonei 
ef our father e^ ArtfteLnd come viithus into a foreign 



iso ttisriMrm'TOE 

' It may eafily be imagiocd that Aiebmiio 
Dot be Co gentle nor fo *eak u thofe o£ Som 
ric2. I'hey Ihewed tlut-they had- tluui «£! 
energy whicb are always faund in the northi 
tins, unlcfs, like the LapIaOdon, they are ^o 
fcrcnt fpectcs from oarTelvcs. They had bv 
tained to that degree of knowledge and'cinlh 
which infliaft alone may lead men in the C] 
few years ; and it is among fuch people that* 
pi.er may Rudy man in this natural ftatc. 

They were divided into fevcral fmall 
whofe form of governoicnt was nearly .Smilai 
hid hereditary chiefs t othcra . elcdcd xbi 
greater part were only dircAed.by thdr.t 
They were mere aflbciationi, formed by chai 
. always- free ; united, indeed, but bound b; 
The will of iodividuals was not even over- 
the general one. All decillona were conftd< 
as matter of advice, which was not binding 
forced by »ny penalty. If, in one of theie 
republics, a man was condemned to dcatl; 
rather a kind of war againft a common cned 
an skO. of jultice exerciled agaiad a fabjcfb. 
of coercive power i good manners, example 
tion, a rcfpe^l for old men, and parental I 
maintained peace in thofe focieties, that hat 
laws nor property, heafon, which -had i 
mifled by prejudice, or corrupted by paffion 
with us, ferved them: inftead of mor^ preit 
regulations of police ' Harmony and.fecui 
maintained without the interpofition of govi 
■J^uthority nc»er incroached upon that puw 
(liniSt of nature, the love of indcpendenci 
enlightened by rcaibn produces. iu.ut the 
equality, ... 



iBTTLEMEKTS IM AMERICA. i9t 

Hence arifes that regard which the fa^ages have 
for each other. The]r lavifh their expreffions of 
cl^eem, and txpc£k the fame in return. They are 
obliging, but referved ; thej weigh their words, and 
liften with great attention. Their gravity, which, 
looks like a kind of melancholy, is particularly ob- 
fervabie in their national aiTemblies. Every one fpeakd 
in his turn, according, to his age, his experience, and 
his fervices No one is ever interrupted, either by /^ 
iddeccnt refleflions or ill- timed applaufe. Their 
public affairs are managed with inch difintereftednefs 
as is unknown in our governments, where the wel- 
fare of- the ftate is hardly ever promoted but front 
felfiih views or party fpirit. It is no uncommon 
thing to hear one of theie favage orators, when his 
fpeech has met with univerfal applaufe, telling thofc 
who agreed to his opinion, that another man is more 
defcrving of their confidence. 

This mutual refpe6): amongft the inhabitants of thb 
fame place prevails between the feveral nations, when 
they are not in adlual war. The deputies are receiv- 
ed and treated with that friend(hip which is due to 
men who come to treat of peace and alliance. Wan- 
dering nations, who have not the lead notion of a 
domain, never negotiate for a projeft of conqueft, or 
for any interefts relative to dominion. Even thofe 
who have a fettled home, never quarrel with others 
for coming to live in their diftriA, provided they do 
not moleft them. The earth, fay they, is made fop 
all men j no one muft poflcfs the fhare of two. All 
: the politics, therefore, of the favages confifl in forni- 
'. ing leagues againft an enemy who U ^o numerous or 
' ^too ftrong, and in fufpenditig hofti^itSes that b^cotn<j 
too deftrudlive. When they are agrj^d upon a truce 
-or league of amity, it is ratified by mptually exch^rv^ 
JDg a belt or CtxiDg o£ beads, ^'l:ik];ii;9a;^ -^ ^\\\^ o^ 



f ti * mSTORT OF THE BRITISH 

fnail*(hells« The white ones are very common ; but 
the purple ones, which are fcarcer, and the blackf 
which are Oill more fo, are much efteemed. They 
work them into a cylindrical form, bore them, and 
then make them up into branches or necklaces. The 
branches are about a foot long, and the beads are 
ilrung upon them in Ar;iight rows. The necklaces 
are broad belts, on which the beads are placed in 
rows, and neatly tacked down with little flips of 
leather. The meafure, weight, and colour of the 
fliclls> determine the importance of the buiineis. They 
ierve as jewels, as records, and as annals. They are 
the bond of union between nations and individuals. 
They are the facred and inviolable pledge which gives 
a fandlion to words, to promifes, and to treaties* 
The chiefs of towns are the keepers of thefe records. 
They know their meaning; they interpret them; and 
by means of thefe figns, they tranfmit the hiftory of 
fthe country to their young people. 

As the favages poffefs no riches, they are of a 
benevoleDt turn. A ftiiking indance of this appears 
in the care they take of their orphans, widows, and 
infirm people. Ihey liberally fhare their fcanty pro- 
•\iiio9 with thofe whofe crops have failed, or who 
have been unfiicccfsful in hunting or filhing. Their 
tables and their huts are open night and day to 
ilrangers and travellers. This generous hofpitality, 
vhich makes the advantages of a private man a pub- 
•lic bltfliflg, is chiefly confpicuous in their entertain- 
iiients» A ravage claims refpe6t, not fo much from 
n\'hat be pcflcilis as from what he gives away. Ac- 
cordingly the whole proviiion of a fix months chafe 
is often expended in one day, and he who treats en- 
joys more pleafure than his guefts. 

None of the writers who have defcribed the mao- 
^cr^ .pf t^e i^vagcs ba\& v^kpued bene^^enos a^ 



SETFLEMENTS IN AMERICA. iffjr 

mdngft their virtues. But thts may be owing to pre* 
judice, which has made thecn confound antipathy and 
refentment with natural temper. Theie people nei« 
ther love nor efteem the Europeans, nor are the/ 
very kind to theoi. The inequality of conditions^ 
which we think To neceiTary for the well-being of fo- 
ciety, is in their opinion the greated folly. They arc 
ihocked to fee, that, amongll us, one man has more 
property than feveral others put together ; and that 
this firft injuftice is productive of a fecond, which is» 
that the man who has moft riches is on that accounC 
the mod refpeCled. But what appears to them 9 
meannefs below that of the brute creation is, that men 
who are equal by nature (bould ftoop to depend upon 
the will or the caprice of another. The refpe^^ wc 
(how to tides, dignities, and efpecially to hereditary 
nobility, they call an infult, an injury to human na-» 
ture* Whoever knows how to guide a canoe, to beat 
an enemy, to build a hut, to live upon little, to go a^ 
hundred leagues in the woods, with no other guide- 
than the wind and fun, or any proviiion but a bo\^ 
and arrows ; he is a man, and what more can be ex- 
peApd of him ? That ref^lefs difpoiition which [>rompt9 
us to crofs fo many Teas, to feek a fortune chat flies 
before us, appears to them rather the efctil of poverty 
than of indulhy. They laugh at our arts, our man* 
neis, aiid all thofe culloms which infpire us with va- 
nity in proportion as they remove us from the ftate oC 
nature. Their fraokoefs and honeily is rouzed to- 
indignation at the tricks and cunning which have beea 
praflifed in our dealings with them. A multitude of 
other motives, fome founded on prejudice, but mod 
OQ reafon, have rendered the Europeans odious to 
the Indians. They have ufed reprifals, and are be- 
come harih and cruel in their dealings with us. That 
avcriioQ and contempt they have conceived for our 



» s«4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

morah, has always made them (hun our focicty. We 
have never been able to reconcile any of them to the 
indulgences of our way of life; whereas we have ften 
fome Europeans forego all the conveniences of civil 
life, go into the forefls and take up the bow and the 
dub of the favage. An innate fpiiit of benevolence, 
however, fometimes brings them back to us« At the- 
beginniog of the winter, a French vefiel was wrecked 
vpon the rocks of Anticofti* buch of the failors as 
had efcaped, in this defart and favage iHand, the rig- 
our of the feafon and the dangers of famine, con- 
Arud^ed, from the remains of their (hip, a bark, which 
in the fpring feafon conveyed them to the ^continent. 
They were obferved in a languid and expiring ftate by 
St canoe full of favages. •* Brethren," faid the chief 
of this folirary faqiily, addrefling hi mfelf affectionately 
to them, *^ the wretched are entitled to our pity and 
•* our aflif^ance. We arc men, and the misfortunes 
•* incident to the human race affeft us as much in- 
•* others as in ourfelves.*' Thefe humane expreffions 
^ere accompanied with every kind of help thefe gen« 
crous favages had in their power to beflow. 
' One thing was wanting to complete the happinefs of 

.the free Americans i they were not paffionately fond 
of their wives. Nature indeed has beftowed on their 
women* a good fhape, beautiful eyes, pleafing features, 
and long black hair. All thefe accompli fbmenis are 
no longer regarded than whilft they are in a date of 
independence. They no fooncr fubmit to the matri- 
nionial yoke, but that even their hufband, who is the 
only man they love, grows^ infenfible to thofe charms 
they arc fo liberal of before marriage. Indeed, they 
are doomed to sfway of life that is not favourable to 
beauty. Their features alter, and they lofe at once 
the defire and the power of pleafing. They are labo- 

rhus^ indefatigablei and active. They dig the ground, 

fow, 



SETFLEMENTS IN AMERICA* ^8^ 

foWy and reap ; whilft their hufbiods, who difdain tO' 
ftoop to th« .drudgeries ofhufbmdry, amufc thetn*^ 
felvcs with hunting, fifhing, (hooting with a bow^ 
and excrciiing the donainioa of man over the earth* 

Many of thefe nations allow a plurality of wives ;. 
and even thofe that do not pra^iie polygamy^ admit 
of divorce. The very idea of an indifl()luble tie never 
once entered the thoughts of thefe people who are free 
till de^th. When thofe who are married dilagree, they 
part by confent, and divide their children between 
them. Nothing appears to theti^ more repugnant to* 
nature and reafon than the contrary fyflem which pre* 
Tails among Chriftians. The great fpirit^ fay they* 
hath created us all to be happy \ and we Jhould offend him 
were we to live in a perpetual Jl ate of conftraint andun-r 
eafinefs. This fyAem agreees with what one of the 
Miamis faid to one of the miffionaries : My wife ani 
J were continually at variance. My neighbour difigreed^ 
equally with his, Wi have changed wives, and are alt 
fatisfied^ 

it has been generally (kid, that the iava;ges are' not 
much addicted to the pleafures of love- But if they 
are not (b fond of women as civilized peoplle are, it i9^ 
not, perhaps for want of powers or inclifKuion to* 
population. But the firft wants of nature may,, per- 
haps, check in them the claims of the fecond. rhtir" 
ftrength is almoft all exhauAed in procuring their food'. 
Hunting and other expeditions leave them. neither the- 
opportunity nor the leifure of attending to popnIiiHon*. 
No wandering nation can ever be populbus^. What: 
muA become of women obliged to follow their hufb^ 
ands to the didance of a hundred leagues^ with, child*- 
ten at their breaft or in their arms!' What would be- 
come of the children themfelvea \\ deprived of the 
jnilk that muft necefErily dry up in the courle. of the* 
joufnej I Huntingj, then^ prqvem^ the iacreaie of 



iM HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

mankind, and even deftroys it it. A favage warrior 
refifts the feducing arts of young women who thrive 
to allvre him. When nature compels this tender fex 
to make the firft advances, and to purfue the mea 
that fly them, thofe who are lefs inflamed with mili- 
tary ardour, than with the charms of beauty, yield to' 
the temptation. But the true warriors' who have been 
early taught that an intercourfe with women enervates 
ftrength and courage, do not give way. Canada, there* 
fore, is not adefart from natural defe£b« bi;t from the 
track of life which its inhabitants purfue. Though 
they are as fit for procreation as our northern people^ 
all their flrength is employed for their own preferva- 
fion. Hunger does not allow them to attend to the 
fofter paflions. If the people of the fouth facrifice 
•very thing to this dedre, it is becaufe the firft is ea- 
illy Satisfied, in a country where nature is very proli- 
fic, and man confumes but little, the overplus of hi^ 
ftrength is turned wholly to population, which b like- 
wise afllfted by the warmth of the climate. In a cli-^ 
ibate where men confume more than nature aiFords 
tiiem with eafe^ the time and the faculties of the hu- 
man fpecies are exhaufted in fatigues that are detri- 
inental to population. 

But a further proof that the favagcs arc not left in» 
dined to women than we are, is, that they are mucb 
fonder of their children- Their mothers fuckle then 
till they are four or five years oM, and fometknes ta 
fix or feven. From their esrKcfV infancy, their pa- 
rents refpeA their natural iDdci)endence, and never 
beat or c hide them ^ becaufe they will not check that 
free and martial fpirit which is one day to conflitute 
ihcir principal charafler. They even forbear to make 
ufe oi (Irong arguments. t«> pcrfuade them; becaufe 
this would be in fome nieafure a redraixit laid upoa 
their free wilL As they ace taught nothing but what 

ihey 



SriTEltMiENTS IN AMERICA. i«y 

tHey want to know, they are the happieft childfen up« 
on earth, ' If they die, the parents lament them with 
deep regret The father and mother will fometime» 
go iiK months alter, and weep over the grave of their 
child, and the mother will fprinkle it with her ow(i> 
milk. 

Thc*ties of friendihip amongfl; the favagcs are al- 
moft as' ftrong as thofe of nature, and more lading* 
Thefe are never broken by that variety of clafliing in* 
tcreiHy which, in our focieties, weaken even the ten* 
dereft and moft facred connexions There the heart 
of one man chufes anorher, in which he depofites his-^ 
ipmoil thoughts, his fentiments, his projc<ns, his for« 
rows, and his joys. Every thing becomes common 
between two friends. Their union is for life ; they* 
fight fide by fide ; and if one falls, the other conflant- 
]y dies upon his f^nd'is body. If they are feparatec^ 
in fome imminent danger, each calls upon the name^ 
of his friend^ each invokes his fpirit, this is his tute« 
lar deity. 

The fnvagcs fhew a degree of penetration and faga^^ 
city, which afloniihes every one who has not obferv-i- 
ed how much our arts and methods of life contribute^ 
to render our minds flow and inadlive ; bedaufe we arc 
feldom put to the trouble of thinking, and have only 
to learn what is already difcoverecE If they have 
brought nothmg to pcrfcftion anymore than the moffc 
fagacious animals,, it is, probably, bccaufe thefe peo- 
ple* having no ideas, but fach as relate to- the prefent 
wants, the equality that fubfifts between them lays e- 
i^cry individtiai under a neccfiity of thinking for hinn* 
'felf, and of fpending his whole Hfe in acquiring this 
occafipnal Teaming : hence it may be reafon ably infer- 
red, that the fum total of ideas ki a fociety of favage^- 
IS no OM^^ tbw die fum of ideas? of each iodividud.- 



iW- HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

Inftead of abftrufe meditations^ the (avages delight 
iQ foogs. They aie faid co have no variety in their 
finging i but we are uocertaio whether thofe that have: 
heard them had an ear properly adapted to their mufic. 
When we firft hear a foreiga language, the words 
fee .11 all the fame, we think it is all pronounced with 
the fame tone, without any modulation or profody* 
It is only by continued habit that we learn to diftin^ 
guilh the words and fyllables, and to perceive that 
lome are dull and others (harp, fome long and others^ 
ihort. The fame may be equally true with regard r» 
the melody of a people, whofe ibng muft bear fome 
analogy to their fpeech. 

Tlieir dances are generally an image of war, and 
they ufually dance completely armed, they are fb ex<* 
a£l, ^uicky and dreadful, that an European, whea 
firft he fees them, cannot help being flruck with hor- 
ror. He imagines that the ground will in a moment 
be covered with blood and Icattered limbs, and that 
none of the dancers or the fpcAators will remain. Id 
]fi. i'omewhat remarkable, that in the £rfl ages of the' 
world, and amongil favage nations^ dancing fhould 
be an imitative art ; and that it ihould have loft that 
chara<^eri(lic in civilized countries, where it feems t6> 
be reduced to a fet of fteps without meaning. But it 
is with dances as with languages, they growabftraded 
like the ideas they are intended to reprefent. The figns^ 
of them are more allegorical, as the minds of the peo- 
ple become more re/ined. In the fame manner as a 
£ngle word, in a learned language, exprefles feverali 
ideas j fo, in af) allegorical dance, .a Cngle ftep, a 
fingie attkudc is iuflicient to excite a variety of feofa«» 
tions. It is owing to want of imagination either in the 
dancers, or the fpeflators, if a figured dance ia not, 
or docs not appear to be, exprefilve. Beddes^tfae f^ 
r;ig€$, can exhibit none but ftrong paffioos^ ii^ fierce 

nac^ 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. . ity 

manners ; and thcfe muft be reprcfcntcd by more fig-' 
nificaQC images in their dances, wUich are the langu- 
age of gedure, the fird and fimpled of all languages* 
Nations living in a flate of civil ibciety, and in peace»' 
ha^e only the gentler pafiions to reprefent y which are 
beft expreffed by delicate images, fit to convey refined 
ideas. It might not, however be improper fometimes 
to bring back dancing to its firA origin, to exhibit the 
old fimplicity of manners, to revive the firfl renfations 
of nature by motions which reprefent them, and to 
depart from that antiquated and fcientific mode of the 
Greeks and Romans, and adopt the lively and figni- 
ficant images of the rude Canadians. 

Thefe favages, always wholly taken up with the' 
prefcnt pailion, are extravagantly fond of gaming, a$ 
is ufual with all idle people, and efpccially of games 
of chance. Thefe men, who are commonly fo fedate, 
io moderate, fo difintereiled, and have fuch a com- 
mand of themfelves, are outrageous, greedy, and tur-= 
bulent at play : they lofe their peace, their fenfes, and* 
ftll they are worth. Deftitute of almort: every things 
coveting all they fee, and, when they like it, eager to 
have and enjoy it, they give themfelves up entirely to 
the quickcft and eafiefV means of acquiring it. This 
is a confequence of their manners, as well as of their 
character. The fight of prefcnt happinefs always 
blinds them as to the evils that may enfue. Their fore- 
call does not even reach from day to night> They are 
sdtemately filly children and terrible men. All depends 
with them on the prefent moment. 

Gaming alone would incline them to fuperftition^ 
even if they had not a natural propenfity to that bane- 
of the happincis of mankind. i3ut as they have fev 
phyficians or quacks to have recourfe to, they fuffcr- 
lels from this malady than more poliflied 'nations, and' 
are more open to the voice of realbn. Thjo Lcqiq^W 



f90 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

have a confufed notion of a Fird Being who governs 
the world. They never grieve at the evil which this 
being permits* When fome mifchance befalls them, 
they i^y. The man above would have tt fo ; and there 
b, perhaps, more philofophy in this fubminion than 
in all the reaibnings and declamations of our philofo- 
phers. Mod other favage nations worHiip thofe two 
fird principles, which occur to the human mind as 
foon as it had acquired any conception of invi&ble 
fubflances. Sometimes they worlhip a river, a foreft 
the fun or the moon ; in (hort, any beings io which. 
they have obferved a certain power and motion ; be- 
CAufe wherever they fee motion, which they cannot^ 
account for, there they fuppofe a foul. 

They feem to have fome notion of a future ftate;. 
but as they have no principles of morality, they do 
not think that the next life is a ftate of reward for 
virtue and punifhment for vice. Their opinion of it. 
confids in believing, the indefatigable huntfman, and 
the fearlefs and mercilefs warrior, the man who has 
flain or burnt many enemies, and made his own town 
viAorious, will after death go into a country where 
be will find plenty of all kinds of animals to afiuage 
his hunger ; whereas thofe who are grown old in in- 
dolence and without glory, will be for ever baniOied 
ipto a barren land, where they will be eternally tor- 
mented with famine and (ickncfs Their tenets are 
fuited to their manners and their wants. They believe 
in fuch pleafures and iuch fufferings as they are ac- 
quainted with. They have more hopes than fearSf 
and are happy even in their deluflons. Yet they are 
often tormented with dreams. 

Ignorance is prone to look fbr fomething myfterious 

in dreams, and to afcribe them to the agency of fome 

powerful being, who takes the opportunity, when our 

idcultiGs are fufpeadcd aad lulled afleep^ oif watching 



i\vet 



SETn.EMENTS IN AMERICA. 191 

over us in the abfence of our fcnfes. It is as it were a 
foul, diftindt from our own, that glides into us, to in^- 
form us of what is to come, when we cannot yet fee 
it ; whereas futurity is always prefent to that Being 
who created it. 

In the (harp climates of Canada, where the people 
live by hunting, their lierves are apt to be overflrained 
by the the inclemency of the weather, and by fatigue 
and long abftinence. When thofe favages have melan- 
choly and troubiefbme dreams, they fancy they are 
furrounded with enemies ; they fee their town furpri** 
fed, and fwimming in blood ; they receive injuries and 
wounds ; their wiv^s, their children, their friends, are 
carried off. When they awake, they take thefe vi^ons 
. for a warning from the gods ; and that fear which £rft 
infpired them with this notion, makes them look 
more fierce and gloomy. The old women, who are 
ufelefs in the world, dream for the fafety of the com^ 
monwealth. Some weak old men, too, dream on pub>- 
lic affairs, in which they have no (hare or influence. 
Young men who are unfit for war or laborious exer* 
cifes, will dream too, that they may bear fome part in 
the adminiftration of the clan. In vain hath it been 
attempted, during two centuries, to difpel illufions ib 
deeply rooted. Ton Chrtfttans^ have always anfwered 
-the ravages, yau laugh at the faith we have in dreams , 
4ind yet require us to believe things infinitely more irn^ 
frohablf. Thus we fee in thefe untutored nations the 
feeds of prieftcraft with all its train of evils^ 

Were it not for thefe melancholy fits and dreams, 
there would fcarce ever be any contentions amongft 
them. Furopeans who have lived long in thefe cuun- 
)tries, aQure us they never faw an Indian in a paflion. 
Without fuperftiton, there would be as few national 
as private quarrels* 



zyu HISTORY OF THE DRTTISH : > 

Private differences arc moft commonly adjufted bf 
the bulk of the people. The refpefk fhewn by the 
natioh to the aggrieved party, foothes his felf-love, 
and difpofes him to peace. It is more difficult to pre* 
vent quarrels, or put an end to ho(lilities^ between 
two nations* 

War often takes its rife from hunting. When two 
companies which were feparated by a foreft a bundred 
leagues in extent, happen to meet| and to interfere 
with each other's fport they foon quarrel, and turn 
chofe weapons again (I one another, which were intend- 
ed for the dedruftion of bears. % This flight iktr- 
mifh is a feed of eternal dtfcord. The vanquiihed 
party fwears implacable; vengeance againft the conquer>i 
ors, a national hatred which will live in their pofteri* 
ty, and revive out of their afhes. Thefe quarrclsi 
however, arc fometimes (lifled in the wounds of both 
parties, when on each fide there happen to be odl7 
fomc fiery youths, who are defirous of trying their 
Ikiil, and whofe impatience has hurried them too 
far. But the rage- of whole nations is not eafily 
kindled. 

When there is a caufe for war, it is not left to the 
judgment and decifion of one man. The nation meets, 
and the chief fpeaks. He Aates the grievances. The 
matter is confidcred, the dangers and the confequen- 
c€s of a ruprure are carefully balanced. The fpeakers 
<nter diredtly on the iubje6>, without flopping, with- 
out digrcffion, or miOaking the cafe. The fevertl 
interefls are diicufled with a flrength of reafoning and 
eloquence that arifes fironY the evidence and fimpiicity 
•of the objt^ls; and even with an impartiality that is 
kfs biafTed hy their flrong pafEons, than it is with us 
i>y a complication of ideas. If they unanimoufly de- 
c/de h)v war by an univeifal fliout, the aljics are invit- 
f€d to join ihcm, wVxicU vtic.'j kVdova icfufci as they al- .' 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 193 

ways have fomc injury torevenge^ or fome dead t9 
replace by prifoncrs. ' 

They next proceed to the eleAion of a chiefs or 
captain of the expedition ; and great ftrefs is laid up« 
on phyfiognotny. This might be a fallacious and even 
ridiculous way of judging of men, where they have 
been trained up from their infancy to difguife their 
real Tentiments, and where by a conftant practice of 
diffiinulation and fadlitious paflions, the countenance 
is no longer cxptttRvc of the mind. But a favage^ 
who is folely guided by nature, and is acquainted with 
its workings, is feldom miftaken in the judgement he 
forms at firft fight. The chief requidte, next to a 
warlike afpeft, Js a ftrong voice ; becaufe in armies 
that march without drums or clarions^ the better to 
furprife the enemy, nothing is fo proper to found aa 
alarm, o^ to give the fignal for the onfet, as the ter« 
rible voice of a chief who fhouts and ftrikes at th^ 
fame time. But the beft recommendations for a ge- 
neral, are his exploits. Every one is at liberty to 
boaft of his victories, in order to march foremod to 
meet danger ; to tell what he has done, in order to 
fliew what he will do ; and the favages think fel& 
commendation not unbecoq^ng a hero who can £bew 
his fears. > 

He that is to head the reft in the road to vi£^ory^ 
aever fails no harangue them. ** Comrades, (fays he) 
" the bones of our brethren are ftill uncovered. Thay 
«• cry out againft us ; we muft fatisfy tbem« Young 
•« men, to arms ; fill your quivers ; paint yourfelves 
•• with gloomy colours that may ftrike terror. liOt 
^ the woods ring with otir warlike fongs Let us 
^ foothe the dead with the fhouts of vengeance. Let 
'* us go and bathe in the blood of our enemies, takjB 
*< prifoners, and fiight as long as wattr ihall flow ia 

Vol. IL & *^ 



194 HISTORT OF THE BRITISH 

*^ the riversj and as long as the fun and moon (hall 
*' remain fixed in the firmament." 

At thefe. words, the brave men who long toen« 
counter the hazards of war, go to the chief, and fay, 
1 will rijk with thee^ So you Jball^ replies the chief, 
^e will riJk together. But as no one has been folicit- 
ed, left a falfe point of honour (hould induce cowards 
to march^ a man muft undergo many trials before 
he can be admitted as a foldier. If a young man, 
«eho has never yet faced the enemy, fhould betray the 
leaft impatience, when, after lobg abftinence^ he is 
cxpofcd to the fcorching heat of the fun, the intenfe 
fi:ofts of the night, or the bloody flings of infefls, he 
i^ould be declared incapable and unworthy to bear 
arms. Are our militias and armies formed in this 
manner? On the contrary, what a mournful and 
ominous ceremony is ours ! Men who haye not been 
able to fave themfel^s, by flight, from being prcfled 
into the fervice, or could not procure an exemption 
by purchafe or by claiming fome privilege, drag 
fhemfelvcs heavily along, with downcaft looks, and 
5)alc dtje^ed faces, before a delegate, whofc funflions 
are odious to the people, and whole honefty is doubt- 
ful. 1 he afflicted and trembling parents (eem to be 
following their fon to the grave. A black fcroll, 
ifluing from a fatal urn, points out the viflims which 
the prince devotes to war. A diftra^led mother in 
^lin prcfles her fon to her bofom, and drives to de- 
tain him ; be is torn from her arms, and Qic bids him 
iarewel for ever, curfing the day of her marriage and 
that of her delivery. Jt is not, furely, thus that good 
foldicr« are to be formed. It is not in this mournful 
^<«>, and with fuch conftcrnation, that the favages 
«? ect viilory. They march cut in the midft of feftivi- 

^9 finglng^ and dancing. The young married women 
Uo*F xhfix 4iMft>a;iis for a day or twoj bjut without 

(how- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. x^j 

fhowing any figns df grief or forrow. Thefc women, 
vrho never once cry out in the pangs of child-birth, 
would fcorn to foften the minds of the defenders and 
avengers of their coantry« by their tearSj or even by 
their endearments. 

Their weapons are a kind of fpear armed with (harp 
bones, and a fmall club of very hard wood, with one 
cutting edge. In (lead of this lad, fince their ac« 
quaintance with the Europeans, they make ufe of a 
hatchet, which they handle with amazing dexterity* 
Mo(l of them have no inftrument of defence ; but if 
they chance to attack the pales that furround a town, 
they cover their body with a thick plank. Some ufed 
to wear a kind of cuirafs made with plaited reeds ^ 
but they left it off, when they faw it was not proof 
againft fire-arms. 

The army is followed by dreamers, who afiume the 
name of juggieri^, and are too often AijSered to deter« 
mine the military ojperations. They march without 
any colours. All the warriors who fight are almofl nak« 
cd to be the more alert, daub their bodies with coals, 
to appear more terrible, or elfe with mould, to con- 
ceal themfelves at a diflance, and the better to fur- 
prife the enemy. Notwithftanding their natural in- 
trepidity, and averfion for all dtfgitifc, their wars de- 
•gcncrate into artifice. Thefe deceitful an^, commoo 
to *1l nations whether favage or civilized, are become 
neceflary to the petty nations of Canada. They would 
have totally deftroyed one another, had they not made 
the glory of their chiefs to confift in bringing, home 
all their companions, rather than in fhedding the 
hlood of their foes. Honour, therefore, is to be gain- 
ed by /filing upon the enemy before he is aware. 
Thcfc people, whofe fenfcs have never been- impaired,. 
are extremely quick- fccnied, and can difcover the 
ylaccs »i^crc mca huve trod. By the ttccw^^ftS'^ ^^ 



195 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

their fight or fmell, it is faid they can trace footftept 
vpon the (horteft grafs, upon the dry ground, and 
even upon (lone ; and from the nature of the foot* 
Aeps, can find out what nation they belong to Per- 
haps they may difcover this by the leaves with which 
. the forc(ls always ftrew the ground. 

When they are fo fortunate as to furprife the ene- 
ny, they difcharge a whole volley of arrows, and fall 
upon him with their clubs or hatchets in their hands. 
If he is upon his guard, or too well intrenched, they 
retreat if they can ; if not, they, mud fight till they 
.conquer or die. The victorious party difpatch the 
wounded men whom they could not carry away^ fcalp 
the dead, and take fome prifoners. 

The conqueror leaves his hatchet upon the field of 
battle, having previoufly engraved upon it the mark 
of his nation, that of his. family, and efpecially his 
own pidhire ; that is to fay, an oval with the figures 
marked on his own face. Others paint all thefe co- 
igns of honour, or rather trophies of viAory, on the 
ilump of a tree, or on a piece of the bark, with coal 
mixed up with feveral colours. To this they add the 
hiftory, not only of the battle, but of the whole cam- 
paign, in hieroglyphic charadlers. Immediately after 
the general's picture, are thofe of his foldiers, marked 
by fo many lines ; the number of prifoners pointed out 
by fo many little images, and that of the dead by Co 
many human figures without heads* Such are the 
cxpreflSive and technical figns which, in all original 
focieties, have preceded the art of writing and print- 
ing, and the voluminous libraries which fill the pala« 
ces of the rich and idle, and encumber the heads of 
the learned. 

The hiftory of an Indian war is but a (hort one; 
they make hafte to fet it down» for fear the enemy 
£bould turn back and fall upon them. The conque- 
ror 



iETTLEMENtS IN AMERICA. i^ 

rbr g^ries in a precipitate retreat, and never ftops tilt 
he reaches his own territory and his own town. Therfe 
he is received with the warmcfV iranf ports of joy, and 
finds his reward in the applatifes of his coiintrymeri. 
They then confider how they (hall difpofe of the pri- 
fbnerSi who are the only fruit ot their vidlory. 

Tlic moft fortunate of the captives are thofc who? 
arc chofen to replace the warriors who fell in the lata 
aAton or in the former hattlesv This adoption hay 
been wifely contrived, to perpetuate nations whic& 
would foon be dcftroyed by frequent wars. The pri- 
foners, being once incorporated into a family, become' 
coufins, uncleSy fathers, brothers, hufbands : in ihortj, 
they fucceed to any degree of confanguimty in whicw 
the deccafcd ftood whofe place they fupply ; and thefe* 
afFeAionate titles convey all their rights to them, zt 
the fame time that they bind them to all their engage- 
ments. Far from declining the attachments whicb 
are due to the family that has adopted them, thcf 
will not rcfufe even to take up arms againft their owa 
countrymen. Yet this is furcly a ftrange inverfion of 
the ti^s of nature. They muft be very weak-minded 
men, fhus to fhift the objeft of their regard wirh tha 
"viGifficitudes of fortune. The truth is, that war feems»- 
to cancel all the bonds of nature,^ and to con^ne a^ 
roan'is feelings to himfelf alone. H^nce arifes that uni- 
on between friends obfervab!e among the i^vages^ 
ftronger than thofe that fubfift between relations.. 
Thofe who arc to fight and die together, arc more? 
firmly attached than< thofe who are born together or 
under the feme roo£ Whem war of death* has diffi)l-r 
lied that kindred which is cemented' by nature or has: 
been formed by choice, the fkme h.tc which loadis the: 
&vage with* chains gives him* new relations and. 
ibiends* Cuftom- and commoop cooTcnr \kw^ intro<- 



198 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

duced this flngular law, which undoubtedly fpraa| \Z 
from Dectflity. 

But it fometimes happens, that a prlfoner refafes 
this adoption ; fometimesy that he is excluded from it 
A tall haodfome prifoner had loft feveral of hisfingen 
in battle. This circumflance was not noticed at firft. |i 
** Friend f** faid the widow co whom he was alloted, |h 
*' we had chofen thee to live with us ; but in the coo^ 
*' dition I fee thee, unable to fight and defend lis, of 
*^ what ufe is life to thee ? Death is ceruinly prefer^ 
•* able. I believe it is," anfwered the favage. •* Wdl. 
•* then," replied the woman, " this evening thoo 
*' {halt be tied to the flake. For thy own glory, and 
*^ for the honour of our family who have adopted 
'* thee, remember to behave as a man of courage. . 
He promifed he would, and kept his word. For three \ 
days he endured the mod cruel torments with a con- 
ilancy and cheerfulnefs that fet them all at defiance. 
His new family never forfook him ; but encouraged 
him by their applafe, and fupplied him with drink and 
tobacco in the midft of his fufierings. What mixture 
of virtue and ferocity 1 every thing is great in thefe 
people who are not enflaved. This is the fublime of 
nature in all its horrors and its beauties. 

The captives whom none chufe to adopt, arc fbon 
condemned to death. The vi^ims are prepared for 
it by every thing that may tend to infptre them with 
a regret for life* The beft fare, the kindeil ufage^ 
the mod endearing names, are lavifhed upon them. 
They are even fometimes indulged with women to the 
irery moment of their fentence. Is this compaflion^ 
or is it a refinement of barbarity ? At laft a herald 
comes^ and acquaints the wretch that the pile is ready 
lirotbery fays he, be pat tent y then art going to he burni* 
Very well^ brother^ fays the prifonecj 1 thank tiee. 

ThcTe 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 199 

Thefe words- are received with general applaufe | 
but the women are moil eager in the common joy. 
hhe to whom the prifoner is delivered up> inftantly 
invoices thtf (hade of a father, a huiband, a fon^ the 
deareft friend whofe death is ft ill unrevenged. " Drair 
** near/' ibe cries, ** 1 am preparing a feaft for thee* 
** Come and drink large draughts of the broth I in* 
*^ tend to give thee. This warrior is going to be put 
into the cauldron. They will apply hot hatchets all 
** over his body : They will pull off his hair: they 
*• will drink out of his ikuU :. Thou ihalt be avenged 
•« and fatisfied.'* 

This furious woman then rufhes upon her vidim» 
who is tied to a poft near the fiery pile \ and by ftrik* 
ing or maiming him, (he gives a fignal for the intend*- 
cd cruelties. There is not a woman or a child in the 
clan whom this fight has brought together who does 
sot take a part in torturing and fiaying of the mifera* 
ble captive. Some pierce his flefii with firebrands^ 
others cut it in fliccs ; fome tear ofif his nails, whilft 
others cut off his fingers, roaft them, and devour 
them before his face. Nothing ftops his executioners 
but the fear of haftening his end : they ftudy to pro- 
.long his fuffcrings fqr whole days^ and fometimes they, 
make him linger for a whole week* 

In the midft of thefe torments, the hera with great 
compofure ilngs hb death- fong; infults hb enemies^ 
upbraids them for their weakncfs, tells them theyr 
know not how to revenge the death of their relations 
whom he has flain, and excites them by outrages oir 
intreaties to a further exertiorv of their cruelties*. It 
is a conflidl between the vi^im and his tormentors, a. 
dreadful challange between conftancj in fufiering and 
ebftinacy ia tormemiBg Eut the fenfe of glory pre- 
dominates. Whether this intoxicattoi> of cothufiafmi 
fufpeads OS wholly benuoabs all icjofc^of faiDi of wheth* 



ieo tHSIVmY OF TOE BRTTOH 

tr cuflom and cducatTon alone produce the(e prodigies 
bi heroifm, certain it is, that the patient dies withooe 
ever fhedding a tear or heaving a figh. 

How fhall we account for this infenflbility ? Islt 
Ibwing to the climate, or to their manner af life ? No- 
doubt, colder blood, thicker humours, a conflitutioo 
rendered more ph'egmatic by the dampneft of the air 
and the ground, may blunt the irritability of the ner- 
vous (yflem in Canada. Men who are conftantiy ex* 
pofcd to all the inclemencies of the weather; the fa- 
tigues of hunting, and the perils of war, cantra^fucb 
a rigidity of the fibres, Aich a habit of fuSering^ a'9 
makes them infenfible to pain* It is faid the favages> 
are fcarce ever convulfed in the agonies of death, 
whether they die of iicknefs or of a wound. As they 
have no apprehenfions either of the approaches or the 
confequences of death, their imagination does not (ug- 
gc{\ that artificial infenilbility which mere nature will 
infpire. Their whole life, both natural and moral,. 
IS calculated to infpire them with a contempt for deatiL 
which we fo much dread ; and to enable them to over- 
come the lenfe of pain which is irritated by our indul- 
gences. 

But what is flill more aftonifhing in the Indians thaii 
their intrepidity in torments, is the ferocioufnefs of 
tlieir revenge. It is dreadful to think that man becomes- 
the moft cruel of all animals* In general, revenge \§ 
not atrocious either among nations or between indivi* 
duals who are governed by good laws ; becaufe thofe 
very laws which protect the fubjc£>s, keep them from* 
offending. Vengeance is not a very quick fentimenl 
in the wars of great nations, becaufe they have but 
little to fear from their enemies. But in thofe petty 
nations, where every individual conAitutes a great part 
of the fiate himfelf, where the carrying oflFbf one ma© 
€adang€ri the whole cotomututy^ war can be nothinrgi 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. act 

elfe but the fpirit of revenge that actuates the whole 
ftate : amongtt independent men who have that felf- 
cflecm which can never be felt by men who are under 
fubjcdtion, amongii favagcs whofe aifedtions arc very 
lively and confined, injuries muft oeceiT^rily be refent- 
ed to the greateft degree, becaufe they zffcCt the per- 
fon in the moll feniibie manner : the affaflination of 
a friend, of a fon, of a brother, or of a fellow-citizen, 
cannot but be avenged to the lad drop of the murderer's 
blood. Thefe ever beloved (hades are continually call« 
ing out for vengeance from their graves. They wan- 
dcr about in the forefts, amidft the mournful accents 
of the birds of night ; they appear in the phofphurus 
and in the lightning ; and fuperdition fpcaks of them 
so the aifiidled or incenfed hearts of their friends. 

When we confidcr the hatred which the hordes of 
the(e favages bear to each other ; the hardfhips they 
undergo} the fcarciiy they are often expofed to ; the 
frequency of their wars ; the fcantinefs of their popu- 
lation s the numberlefs fnares we lay for them ; we 
cannot but forefee, that, in lefs than three centuriesf, 
the whole race will be extinft. What will pofterity 
then think of this fpecies of men, who will exift no 
more but in the accounts of travellers ? Will not the 
times of favages appear to them in the fame light as 
the fabulous times of antiquity do to us ? They will 
fpeak of them, as we do of the Centaurs and Lapithse* 
How many contradidlions fhail we not difcover ia 
their cudoms and ^manners ? Will not fuch of our 
writings as may then have efcaped the dedru^ive hand 
of time, pafs for romantic inventions, like thofe which 
Plato has left us concerning the ancient Atlantica ? 



CHAP. 



•aca HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 



CHAP n. P 



Wars of the Indians. The Colonifts embroil tbem> 

felvcs therein. 



"1 



s 

s 



THE charaftcr of the North Americans, fuch as i 
we have defcribed it, had Angularly difplayed j^ 
irfclf in the war between the Iroquois and the Algon- 
qnins. Thefe two nations^ the largefl in Canada, had 
formed a kind of confederacy. The former, who 
tilled the ground, imparted their productions to their j 
allies ; who, in return, fhared with them the proltace ' 
of their chace. Conne^ed as they both were by-Yheir 
reciprocal wants, they mutually defended each othert . 
During the leafon, when the fnow interrupted 
all the labours of the field, they lived together The 
Aigonquins went out a hunting ; and the Iroquois 
flaid at boine to (kin the beads, cure the flefh| and 
dreis the hides. 

It happened one year, that a party of Arjg^quins, 
who were not very (kilful or well verfcd in the efface, 
proved unfuccefsful. The Iroquois who attended 
tJiem delircd leave to try whether they fhould be more 
fortunate. This cnnnplaifance, which had lometimcs 
been flicwn them,* was denied. Irritated at this un- 
feafonablc refufal, they flole away in the night, and 
brought home a plentiful capture. The Aigonquins 
were greatly mortified ; and to blot out the very re- 
membrance oB their difgrace, they waited till the Iro- 
qaois huntfmen were afleep, and flew them all. Thk 
inaflacre occaiioned a great alarm. The offended na- 
tion demanded juftice, which was haughtily rcfiifed} 
and they were given to undcrftand that they muft not 
cxpeft even the fnialiell latUfaaion. 

The 



SEJPTLEMENrS IN AMERICA^ 2^^^ 

The Iroquois, enraged at this contemptuous treat- 
ment, fwore to be revenged, or perifli in the attempt. , 
But not 'being powerful enongh to ventui e an attack ._ 
upon the proud offenders, they removed to a greater' 
dillance in order to try their flrength and improve 
themfelves in the art of war againft feme lefs formi- ' 
dable nations. As foon as they had learnt to come oq^ 
like fo3^es, to atta/ck like lions, and to fly like birds^ 
as they exprefs themfelves,. they were no longer afraid 
to encounter the Algonquins ; and, therefore, carried 
on a war againfl them with a degree of f^rocioufnefi. 
proportionable to their refentment. 
. It was juft at the time yrhen thefe animofities were, 
Idnd^ed throughout Canada, that the French made 
their'^ril appearance there. The Mootagnez, who in- 
habited the lower parts of the river St Lawrence ; the 
Algonquiofff -who lived along the banks of that river^ 
from Quebec to Montreal \ the Hurons who were dif- 
perfcd about the lake that bears that name ; and fome 
lefs coniiderable nations, who wandered about in the^ 
intermediate fpa<es ; were all of them inclined to fa**-, 
vour the fettlement of the Grangers. Thefe feveral 
nations combined againfl the Iroquois ; but, unable to' 
witl^fiand them, imagined that they might find in their 
new guefls an uhcxpeAed refource, from which they 
pit>mifcd themfelves infallible fuccefs. Judging of the 
French as if they had known them, they flattered 
themfelves they might engage them in their quarrel 
and were not difappointed. Champlain, the leader o^ 
the firft colony, and the founder of Quebec, who 
ought to have availed himfclf of the fuperiority of 
knowledge the Europeans had over the Americans to 
endeavour to bring s^bout a reconciliation, did not e- 
ven attempt it. He warmly efpoufed the interefts o^ 
his neighbours^ and accompanied them in queA of 
iheir eneniy. 



ao4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

The country of the Iroquois extended near eightf 
leagues in length, and fomewhat more than forty in 
breadth. Its bouodaiics were, the lake Erie, the lake 
Ontario, the river St Lawrence, and the famous 
countries fince known by the names of New*Tork 
and Pecfjlvania. The fpace between thefe vaft limits 
was watered by Icveral fine rivers- It was inhabited 
by five nations, which -could bring about twenty thou- 
fand warriors into the field ; though they are now re« 
duced to lefs than fifteen hundred* They farmed a 
kind of league or afliociation, not unlike that of the 
Switzcrs or the Dutch. Their deputies met once a^ 
year, to hold their feaft of union, and to deliberate 
on the intercfts of the commonwealth. 

Though the Iroquois did not exped to be again 
attacked by enemies who had f<S often been conquer- 
ed, yet they were not unprepared. The engagement 
was begun with equal confidence on both fides ; one 
party relying on their ufual fuperiority, the other on 
the afiiftance of their new ally, whofe fire-arms could 
not fail of infuring the victory. And^ indeed, no 
fconer had Champlain and two Frenchmen who at« 
tended him fired a (hot, which killed two chiefs of 
the Iroquois, and mortally wounded a third, than the 
whole. army fled in the utmoft amazement and con- 
fiemation. 

An alteration in the mode of attack induced them 
Co think of changing their mode of defence. In the 
next campaign, they imagined it would be necefiary 
to intrench themfelves agaioft weapons they were un- 
acquainted with. But their precaution was Inefl^eAuaL 
KotwithAanding an obAinate refinance, their in- 
trenchments were forced by the Indians, fupported 
by a brifker fire and a greater number of Frenchmen 
than in the firft expedition. 1 he Iroquois were at- 

00ft 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 205' 

moft all killed or taken. Thofe who had efcaped the 
aflion were precipitated into a iriver and drowned. 

It is mod probable that this nation would have been 
deftroyed, or compelled to live in peace, had not the 
Dutch, who in 16 to had founded the colony of new 
Belgia in their neighbourhood, furniOied them with 
arms and amunitionl ** Poiliblyy too, they might fec- 
retly excite their divifions; becaufe the fiirs taken 
from the enemy, during the continuance of hoflilities; 
were a greater obje6l than thofe they could procure 
from their own chafe. However this may be, this ad- 
ditional weight reftored the balance of ftrength be* 
tween both parties. Various hodilicies and injuries 
were commited by each nation, and they were both in 
confequence of them confiderably weakened. This 
perpetual ebb and flow of fuccefs or misfortunes, 
which, in governments aAuated by motives of intereft 
rather than of revenge, would infallibly have reftored 
tranquility, ferved but to increafe their animofities and 
to exafperate a number of little clans, refolved upon 
deftroying one another. The confequence was, that 
the weakeft of thefe petty nations were foon deftroyed 
and the reft were gradually reduced to nothing. 

CHAP IIL 
Of the F u R s« 

BEforc the difcovcry of Canada, the forefts with 
which it was over-run were little more than the 
cxteniive haunt of wild bea(Vs. They had mutliplied 
prodigioufly, becaufe the few men who lived in thofe 
defarts without flocks or tame animals, left more room 
and more food for the animal race, wandering and 
free like themfelves. If the nature q{ \]ck& iXvcfiA\!t ^\A. 
Vox. IL T ^"csv 



ti3& HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

not afford an. infinite variety, each fpecics produced at 
lead a tnultitude of individuals. But they at laft paid 
tribute to. the fovereignty of man, that cruel title fo 
C^tal to every liyuig creature. Having neither arts. 
Qor hufbandrv to employ them, the favages fed and 
f;iothed themfelvct wholly at the expence of the wild 
beads. As fbon as our luxury had made us adopt thei 
Vfe of their Ikinf , the natives waged a perpetual war 
againft them i which was the more aAive^ as it pro* 
<ured them plenty, and a variety of gratifications 
which their lenfes were unaccuftomed to ; and the 
more fatal, as they had adopted the ufe of our fire* 
arms. This deftrudive indu&ry brought over froxi^ 
ihe woods of Canada iixto the ports of France a great 
quantity and prodigious variety of furs, fome of 
which were confumed in the kingdom, and the reft 
were difpofcd of in the neighbourinp countries. Mo(( 
k)f thefe furs were already known in Europe ; they 
came from the northern parts of our own hemilr 
phere, but in too froail quantities to bring them int9 
i;eneral ufe. Caprice and novelty have brought them 
snore or lefs into f^ihion, fince it ha^ been found t9 
be for the interfA ol the American colonies .that they 
ihoulcl'be admired in the mother countries, it may 
TiOt be improper to fay fomething of thofe that are 
Aill in ufe. 

J The Ottfr isva voracious animal, which, as it 
runs or fwims aloiig the banks of lakes or rivers, 
4:omn'<only lives upon fifli ; and when that fails, will 
i^eed upon^grafs^ and even the rind of aquatic plants. 
7/01^ fi\^ manner of living be has been ranked a« 
xricp^ amphibious animals, who can equally live ip 
the aijr ax\U vj^der. water ; but impicptrly, fince the 
orter cannot live wiihcut rcfpiration, any more t^aD 
M other land ^inimals. It is fometimcs found in all 
/(hp/<r parts which albguud in v/aur, ai^d ^re.Cempe^ 



SE^LEMENtS IN AMERICA. ady 

hte ; but is much more common and larger in thif 
northern parts of Ahlerica. His hair is no where fa 
black or fo fine ^ a circumftance the more fatal to him^ 
as it expofes him more particularly to the purfuits of 
man. 

7. The Pole-cat is in great rcqueft on the famft 
account. The are three forts of them: the firl^ is thd 
common pole- cat ; the fecond is called the mink) and 
the third the (linking pole-cat, becaufe his urine, 
^hich he lets fly in his fright when he is purfued^ it 
fo ofienfive that it infedb the air at a great diitance. 
Their hair is darker^ more glofly, and more filky^ 
than in Enrope. 

3* Even the Rat in North- America is valuable for 
his &in. There are two forts chiefly whofe Ikiti 
makes an article of trade. The one, which is called 
the OpoffuMy b twice as large as ours. His hair is 
Commonly of a filver grey, ibmetimes of a clear white. 
The female has a bag under her beliy, which flie can 
6pen and fliut at pleafure : when flie is purfued, fhe 
J>uts iier young ones into this bag, and runs away witEi 
them. The other, which is called the Majk-rat^ be- 
caufe his teftides contain muik, has all the inclinati« 
0ns of the beaver, of which he feems to be a diminiH 
tive, and his fkin is employed for the fame purpofes^r 

4« The Ermine, which is Abotrc the flze of si 
fq- lirrel, but not quite fo long, has, like him, fprightl/ 
eyes, a keen look, and his motrons are fo quick that 
the eye cannot follow them. The tip of his long and 
bufhy tail is as black as jet. His hair, which is a? 
^ello^ as gold in fummer, turns as white as fnow lit. 
winter. This pretty, briflc, and light animal is one 
of the beauties of Canada \ but though fmailer thais 
the Sable, is not fo common. 

5. The Martin is only to- bctrtet with in cold 
coubtries, in the centre of the (ore&^ i'M i^^t^ "^ 



aeS HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

habitations, and lives upon birds. Though it is but 
a foot and a half long, it leaves prints on the fnow, 
that appear to be thole of a very large animal ; be- 
caufe it always jumps along, and leaves the mark of 
both feet together. Its brown and yellow fur is much 
cfteemed, though far inferior to that fpecies which is 
diftinguiflied by the name of the Sadie, i his is a 
ihining black. The fineR of the others is that whofe 
browneil £k.in reaches along the back quite to the tip 
of the tail. The Martins feldom quit the inmoil re* 
ccfles of their impenetrable woods, but once in two 
or three years. The natives think it portends a good 
uinter ; that is, a great deal of ibow, and coniequcntly 
good fport. 

6. The animal which the ancients called Lynx^ 
known in Siberia by the name of the Ounce^ is only 
called the Wild Cat in Canada, where it is froallier 
than in our hemifphere. This animal, to whom vuU 
gar error would not have attributed very -piercing 
eyeS| if he were not endowed with the faculty of fee- 
ing, hearing, and fmelling, at a diftance, lives upon 
what game he can catch, which he purfues to the 
very tops of the tailed trees. His flefh is known to be 
very white and well flavoured; but he is hunted 
chiefly for the fake oJF his AlIu : the hair of which is 
very long, and of a fine light grey ; but lefs edeemed 
than that of 

7. The Fox. This carniverous and mifchlevous 
animal is a native of the frozen climates, where na« 
ture affording few vegetables feems to oblige all ani- 
mals to eat one another. In warmer climates, he has 
loft much of his original beauty, and his hair has de- 
generated* In the north it has remained long, foft, 
and full, fometimes white, fometimes brown, and 
often red or fandy. The fineft by far is black ; but 

this 



tm 19 more fcarce in Cafiada than in Mtiico\^, whicfat 
lies further north, ^nd is not Co damp^ 

8 Bciides tHcf;; f.nillcr fur$. North America fup* 
plies us with (kins of the Stag, the Oeer^ and thft 
Aoe-huck i of the ;>f?5Z^ ifi?^/*^ called there Car ib j u j 
and of the Elk, which they call ORfCMAL. f hefd- 
«Wo laft kinds, which in our hcrnii'jy^ere are onl^ 
found towards the polar circle, the ellc on this fiJe, 
itnd the mooze-deer beyond, arc to be met with in* 
America in more fouthcrn latitudes* This may be 
^wing to the cold being more intenfe in America, 
Irom flngular cauTes which m;\ke an exception to the 
#enera(l law , or, poffifaly, becaufc thcfe frefh Ian(!> 
arc left frdcjucnted by dertruftive man. Their ftrong^ 
loft, atid warm (kins make excelleiK garments, which» 
arc very light. All thefc animals, however, arc hunt- . 
id for the Europeans ; but the favagcs have the chafe 
that belongs to them, and is peculiarly their favouri:e«. 
it is that of 

9. The Bear^ which is beft adip»^ed to their war» 
ike manners, their Orength, aiui their bravery, and 
^fpecially to their wants. 

In a cold and fevere climate, the bear Is mo(V com* 
aionly black« As he is rather fhy than fierce, in^lcid 
4rfa caverui, he chufes for his lurking place the hol- 
low rotten trunk of an old tree; There he takes his* 
lodgement in winter, as high as he can cKmbw Ashe 
n very fat the end of autumn, takes no cxercife. ^tinct 
Is almoft always afleep^ hs mufl: lole but litrie by^ pcrP. 
^iration, and confequentiy muA feldom want togo a— 
broad in qued of food«. But he is forced our i^t hiY 
retreat by fetdng fire to it ; and as foon- as- he itrempri; 
to come down, he falls under at ftiower of arrows be*- 
fore he- can reach the ground. The Indians fectitip*- 
on his flefhs rubthcmfelves with his greafe, ami cloth** 
AAnielves with, his ikin. Sucb was. the isa^aXr oi >^^^^t^ 



aio HISTORY OF THE BRITISH - 

parfuit after the bcir, when a neir ictereft direAed 
thtir infiinfl towards 

lo- Tlie Beaver. This animal pofleiles all the' 
fr.CTkdly difpofitloDs fie for focietj, without any of the 
ysices or xci^fortuccs atiendant upon it. Formed bj 
nature for fqcial life, he is endued with an inftindl a- 
dapted to it for tlie prefcrvation and propagatioii. 
of his fpecics. This animal, whofe tender plaintive 
j^cents, and whofe Ariking example, draw tears of 
admiration and pity from the humane phiiofopher 
who contemplates his life and manners j this harmlels 
animal, which never hurts any living creature, and is 
neither carnivorous nor fanguinary ; is beconac the. 
object of man's moft earneft purfult, and the prej^ 
which the favages hunt after w.th the greatcft eager- 
nels and cruelty : a circumftance owing to the unmer- 
ciful rapacioufnefs of the moCi polllhed nations in 
Europe. 

The beaver is about three or four ftet long; but 
bis weight amounts to forty or £My pounds, which 
is the confcquence of the largenefs of his mufcles. His 
head, whicli he carries downwards, is like that of a 
rat ; and his back, railed in an arch above it. like that 
cf a moufe. .Lucretius has obferved, not th^t man 
has hands given him to make ufe of them ; but that 
be had hands given him, and has made uic of them.' 
Thus the beaver has webs at his hinder feec, and he 
iWims with them. The toes of his fore- feet are fcp;ir- 
ate, and anfwer the pur pole of hands ; the t-ill, which 
is flat, oval, and covered with fcalcs, he uies by way 
of a hoe and trowel ^ he has four fharp incilor-tced), 
which ierve him inllead of carpenters tools. AH tLet'c 
ii'iftrumcnts, which are in a manner ufcicfs wliiifthe 
lives alone, and do not then diiiinguilh him from other 
auiuals^ are of in^oite fervicc whcu he Uvea in fociety, 

aud 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA* ^ tij. 

mnd enable him to difplay a degree of ingenuity fupe« 
rior to all inftinA. 

Without paflioaSf without a defire of doing injury 
to any, and without craft, when he does not live ia . 
fociecy } he fcarcely ventures to defend himfelf. He 
never bites, unlefs he is catched. But in the focial ftate^ ' 
io lieu o^. weapons, he has a variety of contrivances to 
fecure himfelf wij^hout fighting, and to live without 
committing or fuffering any injury. This peaceable 
and even tame animal b neverthelefs independent ; he 
iy a flave to none, becaufe all his wants are fupplied 
by himfeif : he enters into fociety ; but will not ferve^ 
nor does he pretend to command : and all his labours 
are dire^ed by a filent inftinA. 

It is the common. want of living and multiplying^' 
that calls the beavers home, and colledls them together 
in fummer to build their towns againft winter. As- 
early as June or July, they come in from all quarters," 
and ailcmble to the number of .'two or three hundred;, 
but always by the water- (ide, becaufe thefe republicans 
are to live on water to fecure themfelves from invaii- 
on. Sometimes they give the preference to (Vill lakes 
in unfrequented didridh, becaufe there the waters are 
always at' an equal height. When they find no pooU 
of Aanding water, they make one in the midf^ of ri- 
vers or ftreacns ; which they do by means of a caufe- 
way or dam. The mere planning of this contrivance 
im'plies .fuch a complication of iJeafi, as our fhon* 
jighted reafon would be apt to think above any capa« 
city but that of an intelligent being. The firll thing 
to be ere6Ted is a pile of an hundied feet long, and ' 
twelve feet thick at the baiis, which (helves away to- 
two or three feet in a flope anfwerablc to the deptl^ 
of the waters. To fave work, or to facilitate theii* 
labour, they chufe tbe.ihallowed part of the river. IF 
they find a large tree b; the watu* fide, they fell it lew 



2*12 HisTitmY dfTitit MffrisS 

fucK 4 fhatiner as it mar flftll acfnft chie'ftreatn. If ft 
iliould be larger in circumference than a ihan*s body, 
ti'iey fair it through, or rather gnaw the foot witk 
t^icir four fharp teerh. The branches are ibon lopf^tf 
otF by thcfe induf^rious workmetf, wHoiTantto faflti'- 
dn ir into a beam. A multitude of leffcr crdes are 
felicd and cut to pieces for the ititcnded piit. Some 
drag thefe trees to the river fide, other fWim over vritb 
them to the place where the caufeway ic to be raifed. 
But the queftion is, how thefe animals are tofioik thcny 
in the water with the afQftadce only of their leethi 4: 
niil, and feet. The following is the manner in which' 
they contrive h. With their naHs they dig a hole ia* 
the ground, or at the bottom of the water. Withr 
ilicir teeth they reft the large ertd of the ftake ag^nft 
the bank of the river, or againft the great beami that 
Ues acrofs. With their feeft they raife the ftak^, and' 
fink it with the flurp end downwards into the hole,. 
\^here it Aands upright. With their tails they make: 
niortar, with which they fill up all the vacancies be- 
tween the flakes, which are bound together with twift* 
cd boughs ; and thus the pile is conftruAed. The 
flope of the dam is oppollie to the current, the better- 
to break the force of the water by a gradual refiAance;: 
and tlie Aakcs are driven in obliquely, in proportioa' 
to the incIinatioA of the plane. 'I'he fiakes are plant-- 
ed perpeudicularly on the ikie where the water is to 
fall 9 and ir> order to open a drain which may lefleit 
the a<ili()n of the flope and weight of the caufeway, 
fhcy make two or three openings at the top of it, b/ 
which p.ii t of the waters of the river may run off- 

Whtfivthts work is finiflicd by the whole body of 

the republic, every member confidcrs of a lodging for 

himfclf. Each comp-^ny builds a hut iir the watcf 

upon the pile. Thcfe huts are from four to ten feet 

ia ciiamctefj upon ado'e^oi coudd fj^t Some tr^ 

uro 



SETFLEMENTS IN. AMERICA. iij 

two or three flories high, according to the number of 
families or houfeholds. Each hut contains nt leaft 
two or three, and fome ten or fifteen. The walls whe* 
ther high or low, are about two feet thick, and are 
all arched at the top, and perfedlly neat and (olid both 
within and without. The outfide is varnifbed with a 
kind of ftucco, impenetrable both to the water and to 
the external air. Every appartment has two openings 
one on the land fide, to -enable them to go out and 
fetch provifions ; the other on that next the ftream, 
to facilitate their efcape at the approach of the enemy 
that is, of man, the deilroyer of cities and common- 
wealths. The window of the houfe opens to the wa- 
ter. There they take the freih air in the day time, 
plunged into the river up to their middle. In winter 
it ferves to fence them again fl the ice, which gathers 
to the thicknefs of two or three feet. The £hdf, 
which is to prevent its flopping up this window, refts 
upon two fiakes that ilope in fuch a manner as may 
be/l carry off the water from the houfe, and leave ai\ 
outlet to creep out at, or to go and fwim under th<^ 
ice. The inllde of the houfe h^s no other furniture 
than a flooring of grafs, covered with the boughs of 
the fir-tree. No fiith of any kind is ever feen in thefe 
apartments. 

The matterials for thefe buildings are always to be 
found in their neighbourhood. Thefe are alders,| 
poplars, and other trees delighting in watery places^ 
as thefe republicans do who build their apartments o£ 
them. Thefe citizens have the fatisfadlion, at the fame 
time they fa^on the wood, to nourifh themfelves with 
it. In imitation of certain favages of the frozen ocean^ 
they cat the bark. The favages, indeed, do not like 
it till it is dried, pounded and properly drefled ; where«; 
as the beavers chew it and fuck it when it is quite green* 
They lay up a provifion of bark and tender tvi^ vo^ 



&V4 firSTORY OF THE BRITISH " 

feparate ftorehoures for every hut, proportional)1e (d 
ihe number of its inhMbitiints. Every beaver knows 
his own Aorehoufe, and not one of them pilfers his 
neighbour's. Each party lives in its own habitation^ 
ind is conrentecl with it, though jealous of the proper* 
ty it has acquired in it by its labour. The provifions 
bf the community are colleAed and expended with* 
out diiTcnrions. rhey are Vatisfied with that fimple 
food which their labour prepares for them. The only 
paflion they have is conjugal affection, the bafis and 
end of which is the reproduction of their fpecies. To* 
wards the end of winter, the mother* bring forth their 
young ones, bred in autumn ; and whilft the father 
r^ngfs all the woods, allured foy the fweets of the 
rpring, leaving to his little family the room he took 
up in his narrow cell, the dam fuckles and nurfes 
them, to the number of two or three. Then (he takes 
them out along with her in her excurfions, in fearch of 
Cray and other filh, and green bark, to recruit her 
6wn tlrengrh and to feed them^ till the feafon of lab* 
our rrturns. 

This republican, induflrious, intelligent peopTe, 
ikillcd in aichiteClure, provident and fyftematical in 
its p):ins of police and fociety, is the beaver, whofe 
gentle and exemplary manners we have been defcrib- 
ing. Happy if his covering did not tempt lavage man 
to dcftroy his buildings ind his race. Frequently when 
fhe Americans have demolifhcd the fettlemcnts of the 
bearers, thofe indefatigable animals have had the re* 
fblution to build them up again, for feveral fummen 
fucceffively, upon the very fame fpot. The winter is 
fh6 time for attacking them. Experience warns them 
6F their da ngci*. At the approach of the huntfmen, 
fine' of them ftrikes a hard ftroke With his tail upon 
fhe* water ; this fignal fpreads a general alarm through 
if at a/i the huts of the cQltEtttianN^althi aud every one 

tcici 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ^15 

tric[$ to.fyyc bimrdf under the ice. But it 19 very dif^ 
cult to efcape the fnares that are laid for lhi$ harmleik 
tri(>e« 

Sometimes the huntfcpcn lie id wait for them ; bat 
as thefe animals fee and hear, at a great difiance, thej^ 
can feldom be fhot by the water-fide, and they neveif 
venture fo.far from it as to be caught by iurprife^ 
Should the beaver be wounded before he has got; 
under water, he has always time enough to plunge in^ 
and if he dies >^fter wards, he is Joft, becaufe be finks^ 
an4 never rifes again. - 

A more certain W3y of catching beavers is, by lay^ 
ing. traps in thewoods^ .where thev eat tender bark oj^ 
young trees. The{p traps are. baited with freih flipf 
of wood 9 and as fooo as the beavers touch them, aq 
Snormous weight. fdUs and.crufhc;^, their loins. Th^ 
xnan^ wfio is concealed near the place. haAens jto it^ 
ftizcshis prey» and having difpatc^d it, carries hoff* ' 

Other methods are ililT,more. commonly and tuovQ 
iuccefsfuUy pra^tifed. The huts are fometimes attac)cr 
Cjdj in order to drive out the inhabitants, and thc^ 
wait for them at the edges of the holes they, have 
bored in the ice, where they cannot avoid coming to 
t^ke in frefh air* The moixient they appear, they 
are knocked on the h.ead> At other times the animal^ 
dxiven out of his lodgemeAJtt is entangled in the ne^ 
that are fpr^ad all round, by breaking up the ice fpif 
fome toifes round his hut. If, they want to catch thjs 
whole colony at once, inftead of breaking down the 
flukes to drow.n the inhabii^ints, as it might be don^ 
in Holland, they open the caufeway, to drain ofiVtKe 
water from the pool where the beavers live. A^be'n 
they are thus left dry, defenceleis, and unable to e- 
fcape, they may be caught at plearure,,and deftroye;.d 
.at any time : but care is always taken to leave a fui^- 
.cient number of males and females to preferve tbfi 



2i6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

breed ; an aA of generofity which in reality proceeds % 
Only from avarice. The cruel foreiight of maa obI/ - 
fpares a few in order to have the more to deftrof. j^ 
The beaver» whofe plaintive cry feems to implore hk \: 
clemency and pity^ finds in the favage^ whom the |- 
Europeans have made barbarous, only an implacable 
enemy, who no longer £ghts fo much to fuppiy his 
own wants, as to furniih fuperfluities to another 
world. i-, 

If we compare the manners, the police, and the ' 
induftry, of the beavers with the wandering life of the ; 
favages of Canada } we fiiall be inclined to allow, ad- f 
mitting for the fuperiority of man's faculties above r 
thofe of animals, that the beaver was much further 
advanced in the arts of focial life than his purfuer, 
when the Europeans firft brought their talents and im- 
provements to North- America. 

The beaver, an older inhabitant of that world 
than man, and the quiet poffeflbr of thofe regions 
fo well adapted to his fpecies, had employed that 
quiet he had enjoyed for many ages, in the improve* 
inent of his faculties. In our hemifphere, man. 
has feized upon the moft wholefome and fertile 
regions, and has driven out or fubdued all other 
animals. If the bee and the ant have preferved 
their laws and government from the jealous and def- 
truAive dominion of tyrant man, this has been owing 
to the fmallnr fs of their (ize. It is thus we fee forae 
republics, having neither iplcndor nor Orength, main- 
tain themfclves by their very weaknefs in the midft of 
the vad monarchies of Europe, which mufl fooner or 
later fwallnw them up. But the fociable quadrupeds, 
banifhcd into uninhabited climates unfit for their in- 
creafe, have been unconnedUd in all places, incapa- 
ble of uniting into a community, or of improving 
their natural fagacity ^ whiilt man^ who has reduced 

ihem 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ttj 

them to that precarious ft ate, exults in their degrada- 
tion and prides himfelf In that iuperior nature and 
thofe rational powers which conftitutea perpetual dil^ 
tinAion between his fpecies and all others* 
' The brutesi we are told,- bting nothing to perfeAi« 
on : their operations^ therefore, can only be cnecha- 
bical, and fuppofe no principle iimilar to that which 
abates man. Without examining in what particulars 
perfoftion conG^fls -, whether the mofl civilized being 
is io reality the mod perfect \ whether what he acquires 
in the property of things, he does not lofe in the pro- 
perty of his perfon ; or, whether all he adds to his en- 
joytrients is not fo much fubtraAed from his duration ; 
we cannot but confefs, that the beaver, which in Eu« 
rope is a wandering, folitary, timorous, and ftupid 
animal, was in Canada acquainted with civil and do- 
meftic government, knew how to difVinguifh the pro- 
^r feaions for labour and reft, was acquainted with 
Some rules of architecture, and with the curious and 
learned a^t of coaftruCting dikes. Yet he had attain* 
-cd to this degree of improvemens with feeble and im« 
perfect tools. He can hardly fee the work he does 
with his taiL His teeth, which anfwer the purpofes 
of a variety of tools, are circular, and confined by 
the lips, Man, on the contrary, with hands fit for 
ev«ry purpofe, hath in this fingle organ, of the touch 
•all the combined powers of ftrength and dexterity. Is 
it not to this advantage of organization that he owes 
the fuperiority of his fpecies above all others ? It is 
not becaufe his eyes are turned towards heaven, as 
thofe of all birds are, that he is the lord of the creati* 
on ; it is becauie he is provided with hands that are 
• fiipple, pliable, indultrious, formidable, and weapons 
of defence, and ever ready to aftift him. His hand is 
his fceptve: it is with that he marks his dominion o- 
ycv the carth| by ^eftrojing and t9iv^^\tiQ^>N\t.l%^^<A 



ftiS HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

the globe. The fureft fign of the population of man- 
kind is the depopulation of other fpeciea. That of 
beavers gradusdly decreafes and difappears in Canada, 
fince the Europeans have been in requeft of their ikins. 
. Their ikins vary with the climate, both in colour and 
kind. In the fame diftriA, however, where the colo- 
nies of civilized beavers are found, there are fome that 
are wild and folitary. Thefe animals, who are faid to 
be turned out of focicty for their ill behaviour, live 
in a channel under ground, and have neither lodging 
nor ftorehoufe. Their coat is dirty, and the hair is 
worn off of their backs by rubbing againft the cave 
which they dig for their habitation. This flip^ which 
commonly opens into fome pond or ditch full of wa- 
ter, fometimes extends above a hundred feet in length, 
and flopes up gradually to facilitate their efcape from 
inundations when the waters rife. Some of thefe bea- 
rers are fo wild as to fly from all communication with 
their natural element, and to live entirely on land. In 
this they agree with our otters in Europe^ Thefe wild 
l>eHvers have not fuch fleek hair as thofe that live in 
focieties ; their furs are anfwerable to their manners. 
Ikavers are found in America from the thirtieth to 
the (ixtieth degree of north latitude. There are but 
few towards the fouth, but they increafe and grow 
daiker as we advance towards the north. In the coun- 
try of the Illinois, they are yellow and draw-coloured i , 
higher up, they are of a light chefnut ; to the north 
of Canada, of a dark chefnut ; and fome are even 
found thnt are quite black, and thefe are reckoned the 
iineO. Tet in this climate, the coldeft that is inhabit- - 
ed by this fpccicf, there are fome among the black . 
ones that arc quite white i other white fpeckled with . 
^rcy, and fbnu limcs with Tandy fpots on the rump •* ' 
fo much docs nature delight in (liewing the gradsti- i 

fins fiC warun'J^ and coV^^i ^^^ ^Vvdc various influences ■ 

not . 



SETIXEMENrSlN AMERICA. 219 

not only on the figurc5 but on the very clothing of 9^ 
nimals. The value that men fet on their lives^ depends 
upon the colour of their fkins. home they negle^ to 
that degree, that they will not even kill them } but thif 
is uncommon. 



CHAP. IV. 

Jn what placet, and in what manner the Fur^frade was 

carried on. 

THE fur*trade was the firft the Europeans carried 
on in Canada. It was firft opened by the French 
colony at Tadoufac, a port fituated thirty leagues be* 
low Quebec. About the year 1640, the town of Les 
Trois nivieres, at the difliance of twenty-five leagues' 
from the capital, and higher up, became a fecond mart. 
In procefs of tkne all the fur^* trade centered in Mon- 
treal. The ikiiss were bi-ought thither on canoes made 
of the bark entrees in the month of June. The num- 
ber of Indians who reforted to that place increafed^ 
as the fslme of the French fprcad further* The ac- 
count of the receprion they had met wirh, the fight 
of the things they had^fcceived in exchange for their 
goods^ev^ry thlr>g contributed to increafe the concourfe. 
Whentvcir they' returned with a frcfli fuppty of furs, 
they always brought a new nation along with them. 
Thus^a kind of fair was opened, to which the feveral 
tribes of that vaft continent reforted. 

The EngHfh grew jealous of this branch of wealth ; 
and the colony they had founded at new York foon 
found means to divert the ftream of this great circu* 
lati'on. As fooo as they had fecured a fubfiOence, by 
beftowing their firft aaention upon agriculture, ^,y 
began to think of the fur»trade, which w%a ^i^t^ c<Qk^- 
fined to the country of the lro<\;no\«. T^t i»^ timi\ots% 



EM HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

of that name would oot fuficr their lands to be tra« 
veried in order to give an opportunity of treating with 
other favage nations who were at conftant enmity 
wiih them; nor would they allow . thofe nations 
to come upon their territories to (hare in compel 
tition with them the profits of the trade they had 
opened wiih the Europeans. But time having ex* 
finguifhed, or rather Aifpended, the national hofti- 
litics between the Indians, the Englifh fpread all over 
the country, and the favages flocked to them fruni 
all quarters. This nation had infinite advantages 
for obtaining the preference over their rivals the 
French. Their navigation was eafier, and cdniequenc^ 
ly they could afford to underfell them« They were 
the only manufaAurers of the coarfe cloths that beA 
fuited the favages. The beaver- trade was free among 
them ; whereas, among the French, it vas,- and ever 
has been, fubjcA to the tyranny of monopoly. 

At this time the French in Canada indulged ahem- 
felves more freely in a cuflom i#hich at firft had beeiv 
confined within narrow boundi. Tbeiv inclination 
for frequenting the woods, which wat that of the firft 
colonifts, had been wifely reftratned within the limits 
of the territory belonging to the colony. Permiffioo 
was, however, granted every year to twenty- five per* 
fons to extend beyond thefe limits, to trade with the 
Indians. The fuperiority which New York was ac- 
quiring, was the caufe of increafing the number of 
thefe permiiiions. They were a kind of patent, which 
the patentees might make ufe of either in perfon or 
by proxy, and which lafted a year or more. Tbejr 
were fold ; and the produce was diftributed by the 
governor of the colony to the officers or their widows 
and children, to hofpitals and miflionaries, to fuch as 
hafi^ifilnguiQied themfelves by fome great a£lion or 
fame ufcful undcriakmg^ ni^d fometitnet even to the 
creature, of the govcnox ^Y.^ W^ ^^.>.hi^ 



StrTLEMEMTS IN AMERICA. tzt 

fclf. The monef which he did not give away, or did 
not chufe to keep, was put into the public coflers ^ 
but he was accountable to none for his admiaiftra-^ 
tion. 

This cuftom was attended with fatal confequences.^ 
Many of thefe traders fettled among the Indians, to^ 
defraud their partners whofe goods they had difpofed 
of. Many more went and fettled among the Englifh, 
where the profits were greater* Several of the French 
were loft upon immenfe lakes, frequently agitated by 
▼ioltna ftorms; among the cafcades, which render na« 
irigation fo dangerous up the broadeft rivers in the 
whole world; under the weight of the canoes, the 
provifions, and the bales of goods* which they werer 
forced to carry upon their ihoulders at the carrying 
places^ where the rapidity or (hallownefs of the water 
obliged them to quit the rivers, and purfue their jour* 
ney by land* Numbers periihed in the fnow and on 
the ice, by hunger, or by the fword of the enemy; 
Thofe who returned to the colony with a profit of iix 
or feven hundred /rr eent. were not alway;s the more 
iifeful members, as they gave themfelves up to the 
greateft excefles, and .by their example difgufted others 
from affiduous labours. Their fortunes dtfappeared 
as quickly as they had been amafled, like thofe moving 
mountains which a whirlwind raifes and deftroys at 
once on the fandy plains of Africa. Mod of thefe 
travelling traders, fpent with the exceffive fatigues 
which their avarice prompted them to undergo, and 
the licentioufnefs pf a wandering and diilblute life, 
dragged on a premature old age in indigence and in«- 
famy. The government took notice of thefe irregu- 
larities, and put the fur-trade upon a better footing. 

France had for a long time been inceflantly employ- 
ed in ereAing a number of forts, which were thought 
neceflary for her prefervation and ag;c;nj:^vL<^tci^T^\«w 

U 3 \J^^\.'ODk 



M2 HISTORT OF THE BRITISH . 

North America. Thofe they had built to the weft and 
fouth of the river St Lawrence, were large and ftroog 
and were intended to confine the ambition ok the 
Englifh. Thofe which were conftrudled on the fcveral 
laket in the mod important podcions, formed a chain 
which extended northward to the difkanqe of a thou- 
land leagues from Quebec ; but they were onty miier- 
able palifadoety intended to keep the Indians in awe» 
9nd to fecure their alliance and the produce of 
their chafe. There was a garrifon in cach» more 
or lefs numerous according to the importance of 
the poft and of the enemies who threatened it* 
It was thought proper to intruft the command- 
inent of each of thefe forts, wiih the excluiive right 
of buying and felling in the whole didriA under his 
dominion. This privilege was pure hafed ;' but as 
it was always produAive of profit, and fometinies of a 
confiderable fortune, it was granted to none but fuch 
officers as were moft in favour. If any of thcfe had 
not a ftock fufficient\for the undertaking, he could 
cafily get fome monied men to join with him. It was 
pretended, that this fy(lem, far frocn being contrary 
to the benefit of the fervice, was a means of promot* 
iQg it ; as it obliged t^^e gentlemen of the arnay to 
keep up more condant conne£tions with the natives^ 
to watch their motions; and to negkA nothing that 
could fecure their friendilnp* .Nobody fore fa w, or 
chofe to forefee, that this could not fail of ftifiing 
every fentiment but that of felf iotercft, and would be 
a fource of perpetual opprefiioo. 

This tyranny, which foon became nnrverfa), was 
feverely felt at Frontenac, at Niagara, and at TorontOi 
The farmers of thofe three forts^ abufing their privi- 
lege, fet fo k>w a value upon ibe goods that were 
Irought them, and rated their own tj high» thai by 

4l€gr€u the lodiaia viovUL not ^o^ tb«fc^ Tbey 

weot 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ^ 

went in vaft numbers to Cliouaguen, on the* lake 
Onurio, where the Eogliih dealt with them upon, 
more advantageous terms* Thefe new cooaeAioQ» 
were reprefented as alarming to the court of Fjrance^ 
^ho found means to weaken them by taking the trade 
of thefe three pods into her own haodsy and treating, 
t^e Indians ftill better than they were treated by the. 
icival nation. 

The confequence was, that the king acquired the 
fple pofleffion of all the refufe of the furs ; and got 
the flcins of all the beafts that .were killed inlthe fum-- 
floier and autumn, the moft ordinary, the thinned:^ 
and moft eaiUy fpoiled, were refervcd for thf king* 
^U thefe damaged furs, unfairly bought, and care« 
^.isly heaped up in warehoufes, were eaten up by the 
Hioths. At the proper feafon for fending them to 
Quebec, they were put into boats, and left to the 
difcretion of foldiers, paiQcngtrs, and watermen^ who^ 
«s they had no concern in thofe goods, did not take 
the Icaft care ^o keep them dry. .Whtn they came 
into the h^nds of the managers of the colony, they 
were fold for half of the little they were worth. Thus 
the returns were rather leis than the funis advanced 
by the government for this k>img trade. 

iiut though this trade was of no vali>e to the king,. 
h may yet be doubted whether it brought any profit 
to the Indians, though gokl and filver were not th^ 
dangerous medium of the^r trafRc. They received,, 
indeed, in exchange for their furs, ias^s, knives,, 
hatchets, kettles, fiOi-hooks, ntedks, thrca:d, ordi- 
nary linen, coarfe woollen il{i&, the fird tokens oir 
bands of fociability. But wc fold them articles like- 
wife that would have pro?ed preJAidkral K> them cvenp 
as a gkfc or a prcfem, fiich as gXLU&f powder aud ihot^. 
tobacco^ and efpecially brandy. 

Th» 



^ This liquor/ the n^oft fitU prefent the old world 
ever made to the new, wis no looner known to the 
favagesV than they frew ptffionatelj fond of it. It 
was ecjnally impoffible for them to abftain from it, 
<Sr to to ufe it with moderation. It was foon obferved 
liiat thi^ liquor difturbed their domeftic peace, de« 
prived themof their judgment* made them furious; 
that it occafioned hufbands, wives, children, brothers 
and Offers, to abufe and quarrel with one another. 
In vain did fome fober Frenchmen expoftulate with 
them, and endeavour to (hame them out of theie ex- 
ceiles. ** It is you (anfwered they) who have taught 
*' us to drink this liquor ; and now we cannot do 
** without it. if you refufe to give it to us, we wHl 
** go and get it of the Englifh. It is yon have done 
*' the mifchief, and it cannot be repaired.*^ 

The court of France, upon receiving contradictory 
information with refpeA to the diforders occafioned 
by this pernicious trade, hath alternately prohibited, 
tolerated, and authorifed it, according to the light in 
which it was reprefented to the minidry. In the midft 
of thefe variations, the intered of the merchants was 
feldom at a fland. The fale of brandy was at all times 
nearly the fame. Rational men considered it, how* 
ever, as the principal caufe of the diminution of the 
human race, and confequently of the ikins of beads, 
which became every day more and more evident. 



CHAP. 



Sfl[TTt£M£NT3 IN AMmjQ^ S4f 
C. HA P J V. 

9 
f .* ^ 

AT the peace of Utrecht, this vaft country was in 
a flate of weaknels aidd mifery not to be con- 
ceived* This was owing to the French who came 
there firft, and who rather threw themfelves into this 
country than fettled upon it. Mod of them had done 
nothing more than run about the. woods ; the mor^ 
reafonable among them had attempted ibme cuhures^ 
but without choice or plan. A piece of ground, 
haftily tilled and built upon» was as hadily forfaken* 
However^ the expences the government was at, to« 
gether with the profits of the fur-trade, at times afw 
forded the inh^bitapts a comfortable fubfiflencej but- 
9 f^ri^ of unfortunate warff (boa deprived them of 
Ihefe-jenjpyoijBntSr in 1714, Uieqxporu from Caoad^ 
didnotexeeed 13^125/ Thisfum, added.to 15,312 /<« 
iriS. which ^he government fent over every year, was^ 
til the colony had to depend upon for the payment 
of tke goods they received £rom^ £urope. And in*^ 
deed thefe were (o few, that mod people were re-> 
4uced to wear (kins like the Indians. Such was ^e 
4eploraUe fituation of the far greater part of twenty 
ihou(and French inhabitants, who were fupppied t^ 
be in thefe inunenfe regions. . i 



cn An 



126 HiSTORr OF THE BRITISH 



G H A P. VI. 

Pofufathn^ agricuhure^ manners^ government^ fifbt* 
ries^ indufiry^ and revenues ^Canada. 

BUT the happy fpirit which at that time animated 
the feveral parts of the world> roufed Canada 
from the languid ftate in which it had been (b loog 
plunged. It appears from the eftimates taken in 1753 
and 1758, which were nearly equal| that the [x>pula* 
lion amounted to 91^000 fouls, exclufive of the regu* 
lar troopSy whofe numbers varied according to the 
difterent exigencies of the colony. 

This calculation did not include the many alliei 
difpcrfed throughout an extent of i2co leagues in 
lengthy and of conGderable breadth; nor yet the 
i6,oc:o Indians who dwelt in the centre of the French 
iettlementSi or in their neighbourhood. None of 
thefe were ever confidered as fubjeAs, the' they lived 
in the midft of a great European colony : the fmalleft 
clans ftill preferved their independence. All men talk 
of liberty, but the favage alone enjoys it. ^ot only 
the whole nation, but every individual^ is truly free. 
The confcioufnefs of his independence operates upon 
all- his thoughts and aAions. He would enter the 
^lace of. an Afiatic monarch jud as he would eome 
into a peafant's cottage, and neither be dazzled by hit 
fplcndor nor awed by his power. It is his own fpeciet| 
it is mankind, it is his equal, that he loves and re- 
fpe6ls ; but he would hate a ma(ler, and deftroy him. 

Part of the French colony was centured in three 
ftti^S' ^Quebec, the capital of Canada, is 1500 leagues 
diftant from France, and no leagues from the Tea. 
It is built in the form of ao amphitheatrei on a pen* 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ny 

infula made by the river St Lawrence and the river 
St Charles ; and commands a profpe£t over extenfive 
fields which ferve to enrich it, and a very fafe road 
that will admit upwards of two hundred ihips.. It is 
three miles in circumference* • Two thirds of thb cir* 
cuit are defended by the water and the rockSi which 
are a better fecurity than the fortifications ereAed on 
the ramparts that cut the peninfula. The houfes are 
tolerably well conftruAed. The inhabiunts were 
computed at about ic,ooo fouls at the beginning of 
the year 1759- It was. the ceptre of commerce^ and 
the ieat of government* 

. The city of the Trois Rivieres, built ten years latter 
than Quebec, and (ituated thirt,y leagues higher, was 
raifed with a view of encouraging the trade with the 
northern Indians.. But this fettlement, though brilli- 
ant at firft, never attained to more than 1500 inhabi- 
tants,, becaufe the fur-trade was foon diverted from 
this market, and carried entirely to Montreal* 

Montreal is an iiland, ten leagues long, and four 
broad almoft, formed by the river St Lawrence, fixty 
leagues above, Quebec. Of all the adjacent country, 
this is the mildeft, the mod pieafant, and the moft 
fruitful fpot. A few fcattered huts, ereAed by chance 
in 1640, advanced to a regular built town, which 
cont^ned four thoufand inhabitants. At fird it l^y 
czpofcd to the infults of the favages ; but was after- 
wards enclofed with ilight palifadoes, and then with a 
wall, about fifteen feet high, topped with battlements. 
It fell to dcc^y when the inroads of the Iroquois, ob- 
liged the French to ereA forts higher up the country 
to fecure the fur- trade. 

The other colonifts, who we le not comprifed within 
,the walls pf theie three cities, did not live in towns, 
but were featured along the banks of the river 
&i Lawreiice. None were tg be Cccvi ik^'u ^^ isw^x>!^ 



128 HISTORT OF TH£ BRITISH 

tf that river, where the foil is ragged ftnd barren, 
lind where no corn will ripen. The firft habitatfont 
to the fouth began fihy leagnet, and to the north 
twenty leagues, below Quebec; they were thinly 
fcattered, and their produce was but indifference 
The truly fertile fields began only near to the capital, 
ond they grew better as one drew nearer to Montreal. 
Nothing can be more beautiful to the eye than the 
rich borders of that long and broad canal. Woods 
fcattered here and there which decorated the tops of 
the grafly mountains, meadows covered with flocks, 
fields crowned with ripening corn, fmall ftreams ef 
water flowing down to the river, churches and caffles 
ieen at intervals through the trees, exhibited a fucceit 
fion of the moft enchanting proipeds. Thefe would 
have been ftill more delightful, if the ediAof 174;* 
had been obferved, which forbad the colonift Art>m 
-dividing his plantations, unlefs they were an acre and 
a half in front, and thirty or forty acres in depth. In- 
doletit heirs would not then have torn in pieces the 
inheritance of their fathers. They would have been 
compelled to form new plantations ( and vaft fpaces 
of fallow land would no longer have feparated rich 
and cultivated plains. 

Nature herfelf direfted the labours of the hufband* 
man, and taught him to avoid watery and iandy 
grounds, and all thofe where the pine, the fir-tree, 
■ and the cedar, grew folitary $ but wherever he found 
a foil covered with maple, oak, beach, horn-beam, 
and fmall cherij-trees, there he might reafonably ex- 
peA an increafe of twenty to one is his wheat, and 
thirty to one in Indian corn, without the trouble of 
manuring. 

All the plantations, though of different extents^ 

trere/iifficient for the wants of their refpedlive owners. 

llberi: were few of thtta diAnQt'^Vftlduiaizei bareley» 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA*- aiy 

flax, hemp/ tobacco, pulle, and pot-herbsj in great 
plenty, excellent in their kind. 

Moft of the inhabitants had a fcore of fheep wh(^ 
wool was very valuable to them, ten or a dozen aulcb- * 
cows» and Bve or fix oxen for the plough. The cattle 
was fmall, but their flefh was excellent, and thefe pep-> 
pie lived much better than our country people do in 
Europe. 

With this kind of affluence,' they could afford to keep 
a good number of hoi*fe8. They were not fine, in- 
deed ; but able to go through a great deal of hard work^ 
and to run a prodigious way upon the fnow. They 
were fo fond of multiplying them in the colony, that in 
winter>time they would laviCh on them the corn that 
Hiey'themfelves regretted at another feafon. 

Such was the iicuation of the 83,000 French difpert 
ed or celleded on the banks of the river St Lawrence* 
Above the head of the river, and in what is called the 
Upper country, there were 8000 more^ who were 
more addiAed to hunting and trade than to hufban« 
dry. 

Their firft fettlement was Catarakui, or fort Fron- 
tenac, built in 1671, at the entrance of the lake On- 
tario, to (lop the inroads of the Englifli and Iroquois. 
The bay of this place ferved as a harbour for the men 
of war and trading veflels belonging to this great lake,' 
which might with more propriety be called a Tea, and 
where ftorms are almoft as frequent and as dreadful 
as on the ocean. 

Between the lakes Ontario and Erie, which both 
meafure 300 leagues in circumference, lies a contin* 
ent of fourteen leagues. This land is interfeAed to>i 
ward the middle by the famous fall of Niagara, which 
from its height, and breadth, and fhape, and from 
the quantity and impetuofity of its waters, is Juftl^ -^-il- 
counted the moft wonderful cataract Ui0;:^^^\\^«\^ 
Vol. 1L 2L 



150, HISTORY OF THE BRITISH. 

was above this grand awful water-fall, that France 
had creded fortifications^ with a defign to prevent 
the Indansi from carrying that furs to the rival' 
jcation. 

Beyond the lake Erie is an extent of land, difVin- 
guiftted by the name of the Strait, which exceeds 
all Canada for the mildnefs of the climate, the beauty 
and variety of the profpedls, the richnefs of the. 
foil, and the profufion of game and fi(k. Nature 
has laviihed all her fweets to enrich this delightful 
ipot. But this was not the motive that determined 
the French to fettle there in the beginning of the pre- 
ff r.t century. It was the vicinity of fcvcral Indian na- 
tions wlio would fupply them abundantly wit^ furs| 
and, indeedi this trade increafed with confideraUe ra- 
pidity. 

The fuccefs of this new fettlement proved fatal to. 
the pod of Michillimakinachy a hundred leagues fur- 
ther, between the lake Michigan, the lake Huron, 
and the lake Superior, which are all three oav^able. 
The greatcft part of the trade which ufed to be carri- 
on there with the natives, went over to the Strait i and 
there is fixed. 

BeHdes the forts already mentioned, there are fome 
of IciTer note, in different parts of the country, conr 
i^rudled upon rivers, or at the openings between the 
mountains. The firft fentimcnt intcrell infpires is that 
of minrufl, and its &rt\ impulfe is th^t of attack of 
defence. Each of thefe forts was manned with agar- 
rifon, which defended the French who were fettled in 
the neighboui hood. All together made up 8c oo fouls, 
vho inhabited the upper country. 

; he manners of the French colonifts fettled in Ca« 

na !a were not always anfwerable to the c;lima.te thty 

ioijabited. Thofe that lived in the country fp.ent their 

winter in iJlcmfs, atavcAv &u\wc^ bv ihcir fire-fidC/ 

yvtco 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 23^ 

When the returo of fpring called them out to the in-* 
difpenfable labours of the field, they ploughed the 
ground fuperficially without ever csaauring it, fowed 
it carelersl^, and then iUnk again into their former 
indolence till- harveft time. The people were too 
proud or too las^ to work for hire, fo that every fai** 
mily was obliged to gather in their own crops .; aod 
nothing was to be feen of that fprightly joy, which on 
a fine Cummer's day enlivens the reapers, whilft they 
are gathering in their rich harvefts. Thofe of the 
Canadians never went beyond a fmall parcel of corn 
of each kind, a little hay and tobacco, a few cyder* 
apples, cabbages, and onions. This was the whole 
^produce of a plantation in that country* 

This amazing negligence might be owing to feveral 
icaufes. The cxceffive cold in winter^ which froze up 
the rivers, ih a manner locked up and benumbed the 
faculties of men. They contraAed fuch a habit of 
idleneft during the continuance of the fevere weather 
fbr eight months fucceffivcly, that labour appeared an 
intolerarble hardship even in the fineft weather. Tiie 
tiUitierousfeHivals of their religion were another hind« 
irancc to their indurtry. Men are ready enough to 
tpra^life that kind of devotion which exempts them 
•from labour. LaAly, their paflion for amis, which 
4fad been ptirpofcly encouraged amongft thefe coura* 
'geous aud darin^g met>, made- them averHe from the 
iabours of hufbaitdry. Their minds were fo entirely 
^bforbed in military glory, thiat they were fond of 
%iothiAg but war^ though they engaged 10 it without 

The inhaUtans of the cities, efpecially of the capv 
*ta!, lived, both in winter and fummer, in a conOant 
round of diffipation. Tliey were alike infcnfible of 
the bcatiries of nattire, and to the pleafqrcs of imagi- 
Mlion^ they had, oo uftc fov avUrXM &kiaknt.^^ v^ 



VH HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

reading or iDfiruAion. Their only paffibn was ainufe« 
ment, and pcrfons of all ages were fond of dancing 
at aflemblies. Ihis way of life confiderably increafed 
the influence of the ladies ; who were pofieiled of e- 
very attra^iion, except thoie foft emotions of ihe foul^ 
which alone conftitutc the merit and the charm of beau- 

•ty« Lively, gay, coquettes, and addi^ed to gallantry, 
they were niorc gratified with infpiring than feeling 
the tender paflion. In both fexes might be obferied 
a greater degree of devotion than virtue, more religi- 
on than probity, a higher ienfe of honour than of 
real hone Ay. Supcrftition took place of morality, as 
it does wherever men are taught to believe that ccrc« 
monies will compenfate for good works, and that 
crimes are expiated by prayers. 

Idlenefs, prejudice, and levity, would never have 
taken fucb an afcendant in Canada, had the govern* 
ment been careful to employ the miods of the people 
upon folid and profitable objecls. J3ut all the colonics 
were required to pay an implicit obedience to a mere 
znilitary authority* They were acquainted with the 
flow and fure proccfs of the laws. The will of the 
chief, or of his delegates, was an oracle, which they 
were not even at liberty to interpret ; an awful decree, 
which they were to fubmit to without examination^ 
Delays, reprefentations, excufes of honour, were ib 
many crimes in the eyes of a defpotic ruler, who h^d 
vfurped a power of punilhing or abfolving by hit 
bare word. He held in his own hands all favours 

.and penalties, rewards and punifhn^ents } the right 
of imprifoning without the (hadow of a crime, and 
the Oiil more formidable right of inforcins a reve- 

'rence for his decrees as .fo many a6is of jufiice, thq' 
they wire but the irregular Tallies of bis own caprice. 
Jn early times, this unlimited power was not coiw 

£ncd to miitcers iclauve tA auUuuy dUci^lio^ and por 

Utical 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. -^jf 

Ihfcal admkiiftriitioDy. but was extended even to tivi 
jurifdidttoii. The governor decided arbitrarily ai>4 
withoot appeal upon all differences arifing bc^weett 
"the colonilU. Fortunately thefe contef^s weie verf 
yare, in a country wheie ail things were*<ilaioft« as it 
^were» in cominon. This danperout authority (fik\^ 
£f)ed till i66^« at which period atribunal was credle^ 
4n the capital, for the definitive trial of all caufcil . 
depending throughout the colony« the cuflom dr 
-Paris, modified fuitably to local combinatiunsi fofmetf 
'the code of their laws. 

* This code was not mutilated or dis(igv«^ed hy ^ 
mixture of revenue Uws. The adminifViation of uyfi 
finances in' Canada only took up a H^ fines of alie« 
nation y a trifling contribution fro n the inhabit mts 
.bf Quebec and Montreal towards keeping up the f )C« 
tifications ; and fome duties upon ^U goods importcxl 
and exported, which, indeed, were too high, la 
:« 1747, all thefe (everal articles brought 00 more thap 
11,^83/4 1 5 J into the treafury. 

The lands were not taxed by the government, nor 
did they enjoy an entire exemptioo. A great mli^ake 
.-was made at the firft fettling of the colony, in grant* 
ing to officers and gentlemea sr jpiece of lat>d, fra.n 
two to fovnr leagues in- front, and unlimited in depth* 
'J hefe great proprietors, who were men of moderaie 
fortunes, and unfkilled in agriculture. :were unable 
to mahage fuch vaft eflates, and were therefore under 
a nccefiity of making over their- lands to fokiier&or 
planters upon condition they ibould pay them a ki.i^d 
of ground-rent or homage forever*- ^nis was inti^** 
ducing into A merica foivet hing vcrv Kke ilie feudal 
government, which was fo long fatal to Kw ope. The 
lord ceded ninety acres to each of his viffils, who tm 
their part engaged to. work-in iiis mtil,-lp|)^y hitxi 
aomuaily one or two fols per acre^ aad 9bb\kSbu&\ ^vi^ '^ 



ft3* ■ HISTORY Of THE BRITISH: 

balf of corn for the entire grant. This tax» tliotiglk 
tnit a fmall oney maintained a great number of idle 
people, at the expence of the only clafs with which a 
colony ought to have been peopled. The true inha«> 
bitantSj the laborious men« found the burden of maiiv- 
taining an annuitant nobility increafed by the additt^ 
cnal exaAions of the clergy. In 1667, the tithes were 
•impofcd. They were, indeed, reduced to a twenty* 
fixth part of the crops, notwithftanding the clamoum 
of that rapacious body ; but flill this was an oppreC* 
£on| in a country where the clergy had a property 
ialloted them, which was fufficient for their naainten- 
■%nce. 

So many impediments thrown in the way of agri- 
culture, difabled the colony to. pay for the neccfiaries 
that came from the mother country. The French 
'jminiflry were at laft fo fully convinced of this truih^ 
that after having always obiiinately oppofed the cftab- 

*lilbmf nt of manufactures in A merica, they thought 
it their interefl: even to promote them, in 1 706. fiut 
thefe too tardy encouragements had very little effc^} 
and the united induftry of the coloniib could never 
produce more than a ficw coarfe linens, and ibmc 
very bad woollen ftuSs. 

The fifheries were not much more inviting thaa 
the manufa^res. The only one that could be an 
objcA of exportation, was that of the Seal. This 
animal has been ranked in the clafs of filh, though 
he is not dumb, is always born on land, and lives 

' more on dry ground than in the water. His head is 
fomefi^hat like that of a madiff. He has four paws, 
vihich are very ihort, eipccially the hinder ones, 

- which ferve him rather to crawl than to walk upon. 
They are ihapedlike fins, but the fore feet have ciaws. 
'* ikio is iuurd| and covered with ihort haicv hefs 

born 



. \ 



SBTTLEMENTS W AMERICA* mj 

born white* but jcums Tandy or black a» he grows up, 
Sometiqaes he is of all the three colours. 

There are two difiioA forts of ieals. The largev 
fore will fomctiaies weigh no Idfs than two ihoufand 
weight, and feem to have a fharper fnout than the 
ethers. The fmall ones, wbofe ikin* is/commonlf 
marbled, are briiker, and. more djcxterous at extri« 
eating chemfeWe* out of the fnaces that a^e laid for 
them« The Indians have the art of taming them {^ 
iar as to cnake t^env follow tl^em. f 

It is upon the rocks that they couple, and that thf 

^ams'Uy their ybung,- and fometimes upon the ice. 

.They coinmonly bear tvtro^ and they frequently fuQkl 

itheoi in the water^ but more frequently on ^a^jai 

i^Vhen they want to teach them to fwim, it 14 faij 

ffhey carry , them upon their backs, <irop them n;ow 

-and then into the water, then take them up again an^ 

.proceed in tbisananner till they are ftrong ei)ough tp 

ifwimof themfclves. Mo(^ Iktle birds flutter aboi^ 

from fpray to.fpray before 4icy venture tp .fly abroac^^ 

the eagle carries her young, to train them pp to eo?* 

.counter the boi()erous winds } it is not therefore fui- 

priiing, that the feal born on land, fiiould exercife her 

little ones in living under water. 

Ihe manner ol^ iiiliing for theie amphibious. ani» 
snais is very fimpte- Their cuftom is, when they arc 
.cut at fea, to enter into the creeks with the tide. As 
foon as fome place is difcovered where they refort in 
.ihoals, they furround it with nets and ilakes only tak- 
ing care to le.ive a little opening for ihem to get in« 
. At high water this opening is ilopped up, and wh^n 
the tide is gone down the prey remains on dry ground- 
There is nothing more to do but to knock them down. 
Sometimes the hlhcrmen get into a canoe, and follow 
. them to their lui king places, where they fire upoo 
^.Kkgn the moment* they put their beads ottioiUxcw'^- 



I38 ftfSTOft'f (W TEffi'MtriSH ^ 

fbr tdTiA:6 iiif atr. tf thty sfe Miy wbufided ihsf 
are eafily caught ; if xhtf aire kiHcd they Oak dirc€tm 
If, but art fen:hed u'p bf great dogs that are trained 
tip to div^ fbr theai^ feita or cijhl fathom unde^ 

The fkh\ i)f the feat ^^s fotfnMf tiftfd for imoffi | 
but afterwards to c6Vep triihks^ mM to mafce thoet 
itid bbo6 When it is w^U tanned, the grain is not 
Mlike that of M<^rbeco leather. k( on the one 
fcand It is not quitd fo (ktc, oil' thi oYbcf it keepk 
lortgcr." 

The flfcfh oF the Teal li generally attdtvetf to be goo^ 
Vnrk turns to bextct accb'unt if it is boiled down tooiL 
iPor tWfs pUrpofe^ it is rutHcient to fet k on the fire i% 
W bopplfr or earfhcrt vtVfcV Pre40enr)y nothing ihorii 
V done *than to fpread th^ fat upon large fi^aarcs made 
^f boards, where it m^lrft oF iilcif, and thtToil rmik oflT 
fhroligU nfi opening made for that purpbfe. It keeps 
Wear for ^ Tong tiiiie, has no bid'fmeM, and does not 
f,<irh;^r dtofs it H Uled fur buf hiilg aiid ior dreffing 
bt leather 

Five or fii fihall fhips were fitted oiil ye&rly from 
Om.ida for the ftd\ fiihery in the gulph of 8t Law- 
fence, and one or two iefs for the (jaribee iilandt. 
TheV received froni the iflinds nine or ten rtfills 
Hdcn with rum, mehiiles, coffee, and fug^r; and from 
France about thirty ihtps, whole lading together aiighC 
amount to nine thoufand t<ins. 

Jn tlie interval bccwceti the two lad wars, which 
V(\$ the moi\ Bourifhimg period of the colony, tbo 
exports did not exceed ^*.5 000/. in furs, ;^ 5,000'. la 
heaver, 10,9^(7/. los in Teal oil, the fame in'iiourani 
fcife, and 6z6i lOf in wood of aU kinds. Thefe 
' icveral articles ptit together, amouhtcd but to 1 1 ^*9^jU 
' }<it a jCdF^ a fum iaiu&QiOkt to pay for tbe coaimo- 

llilNS 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 237 

dicies they drew from the mother country. The go- 
▼ernment made up the de6ciency. 
When the French were in pofUffion of Canada, they 
bad very little money. The little that was brought 
in from time to time by the new fettlers did not Oay 
long in the country, becauie the neceilities of the co- 
lony fent it away again. This was a gr^sat obdacle to 
the progrcfs oi commerce and agricuttuse. In 1670. 
the court of Verfailles coined a particular fort of mo- 
ney for the ufe of all the French fcttlements in A* 
merica; and fet a nominal value upon it, a fourth par- 
above the value of the current coin of the mother- 
country. But this expedient was not productive of 
.the advantages that were expected, at lea ft with regard 
to New France. They therefore contrived to fublH- " 
tute paper currency to metal, for the payment of the 
troops and other expences of government. This fuc- 
ceeded till, the year 17 139 when they were no longer 
true to the engagements they had entered into with 
the adminiftrators of the colony. The bills, of ex^ 
change they drew upon the treafury of the mother 
country were not honoured, and from that time fell 
into diicredit. They were at laft paid off in 1720^ bujc 
.withi the lofs of five* eif>hths. 

This event occafioned the ufe of money to be re- 
.fumed in Canada: but this expedient lafted only two 
years. The merchants found it troublefome^ charge- 
able, and hazardous* to (end money to France, and fo 
did all the colonies who had any remittances to make i 
To ^bat, they yrere the firft to folicit the re cAablifhment 
4)f papper currency. This money confifted of cards, 
4>n which was ftamped the ^rms of France and Na* 
,varre; and they were figned i>y the governor, the ia* 
.teqdaat, and the comptroller. They were of 1 /. i^« 
ici..6d ^i« 3^. 2i. i4i-2^ and of li. 3« 3-4^ 
•^» -ft/i...3* 3-4 4» lvalue. XIk ^alup o£ tfckft ^Vs^V^ 



7^ HISTORY OF THfe Bttrn<5H 

number th^t was made out, did not exceed 43»75o). 

When this fum was not futficienc for the demands of 

the public, the deficiency was made up by orders 

■figned only by the intendant This w« the firft 

grievance; but another and more icandalous abufe 

"Was, that their number was unlimited. The imalleft 

were of io« i-2£/. and the higheil of 4/. ys, 6d, 

Ihefe d liferent papers circulated ^bout the colony, 

and fupplied the want of money till the month of 

Odtober. This was the lated feafon fur the (hips to 

ft I! from Canada. Then all this paper- currency was 

turned into bills of exchange payable in France by the 

government, which was fuppofed to have made ufe 

of the value. But ihcy were (0 multiplied by the year 

1754, that the royal trcafury tould no longer anfwcir 

fuch large' demands, and was forced to protraA the 

payment An unfortunate war, that broke out two 

ye.irs after, fb increafed their number, that at laft 

they were prohibited. I'hts prefently raifed the price 

of all commodirjes to an immoderate degree; and as, 

on account of the ertormdua expenccs of the war, the 

king w^s the great confumcr, he alone bore the I0& 

■tof the difcartied p.ipfer, and of the dearnefs of tht 

goods. Ill i759j tbc miniftiy were obliged to Oop 

'p.iyment of the Canada bills, till their origin and 

their real value could be trabed. They 'amounted tb 

"an alarcning number. 

The annuafl expences of government for Canada, 
-which in 1729 did not exceed' i7,5'>o/. and bcfoft 
1749 never went beyond 74,375 /• were imimenfe aftdr 
that period. The year 1750 cofl9i,975/. the yeaf 
1751, riSjis;/. the ye&r 175^, *7^»937'- 'o/. tbt 
7ear 1793, 231,875 /.the year 1754, 1949667/. 10/. 
fhfe year 1755, 26^,^75/. the year 1756, 4!;4»375^ 
the year 1757, »4i;i87/.' th^ fc^r ij$Hi i,22^,025^« 
ibcfesLr 175^9 ^'|13^>S^^I« ^be-firfrci^t-jmoaffasof 



SEpPTi^BMENTS: IN AMERICA ^^ 

the ye&r 1769, S^y^y^^S '• ^^ thtfc prodigious jfuo^^ 
2^500,000/. were owipg at the peace. 

Tliis difhoneft debt was traced up to its origin^ and 
the. enormities th^t had. given rjfe to it were inquired 
into as £ar as the.diftance of timjC and place .vrould, 
allow. The greateft delinquents, who were In^coAie . 
fo iaxonfequence of th^, uiUiotiited power and credit 
given them by the government, were legally condem<*. 
n^d to maiffi cojQiioerable refUiutions, but Ajll too 
moderate. The claiqis of private credkprs ncere all 
difcufied* Fortunately for them, and for the nation* 
t)ie miniftry. 20tri^cd,w,ith this.inpportant and necef-: 
fary buiij^e^i were, none but mep of known integrity, 
vho were not to ^be intimidated by the threats .oj^ 
power, nor bribed by the offers of fortune; who! 
could ,no/t be impofed upon by 'artlficey or wearied' 
out by difl^cultie^^ By Aieadily .^nd impartially hpld% 
ing an even balance between the intereft of the pub- 
lic, and the rights of individuals, they reduced the! 
iaax total of the.dcbis to 1,662,000 L 

■ ... ■. . ' . J ; 

I 

C H A P. VIL 

Advantages v/bicb Fr4V,cb miight have derived from 
* CANAipA. Errors luffickiape deprived her oj thenu 

IT was tbp fault .0/ France if Canada was not. worth 
t{bfe ImmenGe* iycns that .were beAowed upon it. It 
had long fioce appeared, that this vaft region was 
cvery^ where capable of yielding prodigious cropsj 
yet no more was cultivated than what was barely fuf- 
ficient for the fuftenance of the inhabitants. With 

Ik. • • 

piodecate labour they ^night have raifcd corn enough 
to fupp.ly all the Americau iflands^ and even fome 
part^ of Europe. It is >iveU known, t^at lu i-^^v vVk^ 



140 HISTORY OF THE BRmSH 

colony fent over two (hip* loads of wheat to MarfeilleSi 
which proved very good, and fold very well. This 
ckpurtation ought to have been encouraged the more 
as the crops are liable to fcvr accidents in that country^ 
where the corn is fown in May, and gathered in be- 
fore the end of Auguft. 

If hufbaodry had been encouraged and extended 
the breed of cattle would have been increafed. They 
have fo much pafture ground, and fuch plenty of a- 
corns, that the colonies might eafily have bred oxen' 
and hogs, fufficient to fupply the French iflands with 
beef and pork, without having recourfetd IriOi beef« 
Poifibly, they might in time have increafed (b much 
as to be able to viftual the (hips of the mother coun- 
try. 

Heir fheep would have been no leCs advantageotis 
to France. They were eafily bred in Canada, where 
the dams commonly bear twins ; and if they did not 
multiply fafier^ it was becaufe the ewes were left with 
the ram at allfcafons ; becaufe, as they moftly brought 
forth in February, the feverity of the weather deftroy- 
ed a great many lambs ; and becaufe they were obliged 
to fetd them with corn, and the inhabitants found 
them I'o chargeable, that they did not much care to 
rear them. All this might have been prevented by a law, 
enjoining all farmers to part the ram from the ewes 
from September to February. The lambs dropped 
in May would have been reared without any expence 
or hazard, and in a ihort time the colony ivonld have 
been covered with numerous flocks. Their wool, which 
is known to be very fine and good, would have fupplied 
the manu failures of France, in (lead of that which 
they import from Andaluiia and Cafiile. The fiate 
would have been enriched by this valuable conunodi- 
tjr, and^ h\ return, the colony would have received a 

thoii» 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 44I 

thoufand new and defirablc articles from the mother 
country. 

The Gin-feng would have been a great acqulfition 
to both This plant, which the Chinefe procure from 
the Corea, or from Tartary, and which they buy at 
the weight of gold, was found in 1720, by the Jefui^ 
Laiitauy in the foreiVs of Canada, where it grows very 
common. It was foon carried to Canton, where it 
was much edeemed, and fold at an extravagant price* 
The Gin*feng, which at firft fold at Quebec for about 
IX. 6d. a pound, immediately rofe to i/. is, 10. 1^2 d. 
In 1753, the Canadians exported this plant to the va- 
lue of 21,1^75/. There was fuch a demand for it, thac 
they were induced to gather in May what ought not 
to have been gathered till September, and to dry ia 
the oven what (hould have been dried gradually in a 
fliade. This fpoilt the fale of the Gin»feng| of Cana- 
da in the only country in the world where it could 
£nd a market; and the colonifts were feverely punch- 
ed for their excefiive rapacioufnefs, by the 'total loft 
of a branch of commerce, which, if rightly managed^ 
might have proved a fburce of opulence* 

Another and a furer fource for the encouragement 
of induftry, was the working of the iron mines which 
abound in thofe parts. The only one that has ever 
attracted the notice of the Europeans, lies near the 
town of Trois Rivieres. It was difcovered near the 
furface of the ground ; there are no mines that yield 
more, and the beft in Spain are not fuperior to it for 
the pliability of the metal. A fmith from Eurept^ 
who came thither in 1739, greatly improved the 
working of this mine, which till then had been but 
. vnlkilCully managed. From that time no other iron 
was ufed in the colony. They even exported fome 
famples ; but France would not be convinced thatth\« 
iron was the beft for fire-artns, TVit ^^^ ^i \x^t\^ 
Vol. IL Y ^i^^ 



141 HBTORT OF THE BRITISH 

this iron would have been very favourable to the pro- 
je^ which, after much irrefolutioni had at laft been 
adopted, of forming a marine eftablifhment in Ca- 
nada. 

The firft Europeans who landed on that vaft regt« 
jOn, found it all covered with forefis. The principal 
trees were oaks of prodigious height, and pines of all 
fizes Thefe woods could have been conveyed with 
eafe down the river St Lawrence, and the numberlefs 
rivers that difcharge into it. By an unaccountable 
fatality, all thefe treafures were overlooked or defpif- 
cd. At laH the court of Verfailles thought proper to 
•trend to them. They gave orders for ereAing docks 
at Quebec for building men of war; but unfortunate- 
ly truAed the bufinefs to agents, who had nothing in 
view but their own private intereft. 

The timber (hould have been felled upon the hiOs, 
where the cold air hardens the wood by contracting 
its fibres; where as it was conAantly fetched from 
marfhy grounds, and from the banks of the rivers, 
where themolAure gives it a loofer texture, and makes 
it too rich. InAead of conveying it in barges, they 
Jioated it down on rafts to the place of its deAination; 
where being forgotten and left in the water, it gather- 
ed a kind of mofs that rotted it. It ought to have 
been put under fhade when it was landed ; but it was 
left expofed to the fun in fumnier, to the fnow in 
winter, and to the rains in fpring and autumn. From 
thence it was conveyed into the dock yards, where it 
again fuftained the inclemency of the feafons for two 
cr three yeai*s Negligence or difhonefty enhanced 
the price of every thing to fuch a degree, that they got 
their fails, ropes, pitch, and tar, from Europe, in a 
country, which, with a little induftry, might hate 
fvpplkd the whole kingdom of France with all thefe 
^Hi/trisils. This bad uiaiv'a^cv£.CQxWd vitally brought 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. %^ 

the wood of Caoada into difreputet and effe^all/t 
ruined the refources which that country afforded for 
the navy. 

This colony farniOied the nianafa£hires of the mo*- 
ther country with a branch of induftry that might al« 
mod be called an excluiive one, which was the pre- 
paration of the beaver. This commodity at firft wat< 
fubjedled to the burden and redraints of monopoly* 
The India company could not but make an ill ufe of* 
their privilege, and really did fo. What they bought 
of the Indians was chiefly paid for in Engliih (carleC 
cloths, which thofe people were very fond of appear- 
ing in. But as they could make twenty-five or thirty 
per^cent. more of their commodies in the English fct- 
tlements than the company chofe to give, they carried 
thither all they could conceal from the fearch of rhe 
company's agents, and exchanged their beaver for 
Englilh cloth and India calico. Thus did France, 
by the abufe of an inllitution which ihe was by no 
means obliged to maintain, lo(e the double advantage 
of furnifhing materials to fome of her own manufac-f 
turfS, and of fecnring a market for the produce of 
fome others. She was equally ignorant with regard 
to the facility of eftablifhing a whale*fi(hery in Canada. 

The chief fourccs of this fiibery are Davis's (Iraits 
«nd Greenland. Fifty (hips come every year into the 
former of tkele latitudes, and a hundred and fifty in- 
to the latter. The Dutch are concerned for more 
than three fourths of them. The re(l are flttted out 
from Bremen, Hamburgh, and Britain. It is com- 
puted that the whole expence of fitting out 200 fhips, 
of 350 tons burden upon an average, muft amount to 
4?7»5C^o/. The ufual produce of each is rated at 3,50oA 
and confequently the whole amount of the fiibery can- 
not be lefs than 140,000 /• If we dedu^ from this the 
Iirofit$ of the Teamen who davote ih^TXiCdN^^ \q <!<e\>& 



^4 HISTORT OF THE BRITISH 

hard and dangerous Toyage, very littk remains for the* 
merchants concerned in this trade. 

This is what firft gradually difgufted the Bifcayans,. 
^bo were the firft adventurers m the undertaking* 
They have not been fucceeded by other Frenchmen, 
infomuch that the whole fifhery has been totally 
thrown up by that jaation, which of all others tnade 
the greateft confumption of blubber, whalebone and 
ipcrmaceti. Many propofals have been made for re- 
fhming it in Canada- There was the finefi profpeft 
of a plentiful fiihery in the river St. Lawrence^ attend* 
ed with lefs danger and lefs expence than at Davis's 
Araits or Greenland* It has ever been the fate of this 
colony, that the bed fchemes relative to it have not 
been brought to bear ; and this in [>articuiar of a 
whale- fifhery, which would have fingxilarly rouxed 
the activity of the coloni(ls, and would have proved 
an excellent nurfery for feamen, has never met with 
the countenance of the government. 

The fame remiflhefs has baffled the fcheme, fo of- 
ten planned, and two or three times attempted, of 
fifhing for cod on both Gdcs of the river St Lawrence. 
Very pofflbly the fuccefs would not have fiiUy anfwer- 
cd their expe£lation| becauie the fifli is but iDdiffereoc 
and proper beaches are wanting to dry it. But the 
gulph would have made ample amends. It abounds. 
With cod, which might have been carried to New« 
. f oundland or Louifbourg, and advanrageoufly barter- * 
cd for produdVions of the Caribbee iilands and Euro- 
pean commodities. Every thing confpired to promote 
the profperity of the fettlemeots in Canada, if they bad 
Veen feconded by the men who Teemed to be the moi^ j 
interefted in them. But whence could proceed that j 
inconceivable inaftion, which fufiered them to languUb 

ID the fame low condition they were in at firft i 

■ It 



SETTLEMENPrS IN AMERICA. ^ 14$ 

■ It muft be confefled, fome obftacles arofe from the. 
Yctj nature of the climate. The ri?er St Lawrence is 
£rozen up for fix months in the year. Another times 
it is not navigable by night, on account of the thick 
fogs, rapid currents, fand-banks, and concealed' 
rocks, which make it even dangerous by day- light. 
Thefe difficulties increafe from Quebec to Montreal^ 
to fuch a degree, that failing is quire impraQicable» 
and rowing fo difficult, that from the Troi* Rivieres^ 
where the tide end, the oars cannot refill the vi<4ence 
of the current, without the affiftance df a very fair, 
wind, and then only in the fpace of a month or fix 
weeks. From Montreal to the Lake Ontario, trav.eli* 
lers meet with no lefs than fix water falls, which o« 
bilge them to unload their canoes, and to.carry them 
and their lading a confiderable way by land. 

Far from encouraging them to get the better of na^ 
ture, a mifin formed gvernment planned none but ru« 
inous fchemes. To gam the advantage over the £ng]ilh 
in the fur-trade, they ereAed three and thirty forts^ 
at a great diflance from eac^ other. The building 
and victualling of them diverted the Canadians from 
the only labours that ought to have engrofied their 
attention. This error engaged them in an arduous 
and perilous track. 

It was not without fome uneafinefs that the Indians 
faw the beginning of thefe fcttlemencfi, which might , 
'endanger their liberty. Their fulpiciorfs induced theiti 
to take up arms, fo that the colony w.is ieldom free 
from war. Neceffity made all the Canadians foKiiers* 
Their manly and military education made them har» 
dy, and fearlefs of danger Juit emerging from child* . 
hood, they would traverfe a vafl continent in the fum- 
mer time in canoes, and in winter on foot through 
ice and fnow. As they had toothing out their gun to 
procure (ubMeoce with, th^ y wui:q m. ^Q«^vkc^>^A ^^^w- 



a^ EISTORT OF fHE BRITISa . 

ger of ftarying ; but they were under no apprehenfi« 
cms of fear, not even of falling into the- hands, of th» 
ftvages, who bad exerted all the efibrts of their ima* 
ijination in inventing tortures for their enemies, fan 
^orfe than death. 

The fedeotary arts of peace, and theileady latx>ursi 
of agriculture, had no attrafVioo for nien accuAomed 
to an aAive but wandering life. The court, which) 
fefHis no idea of the fweets or the utility of rural life^ 
idcreaied the avcrfion which the Canadians had conw 
eeived for h, by beftowing all their favours andhon* 
ours upon military aftions alone. The diiiindion thst 
was moitly laviihed was that of nobility, which wat 
attended with the moft fatal confequence* It not on-^ 
)y plnnged^thc Canadians in idlenefs but alfo infpircd 
them with an unfurmountable turn for every thing 
that was fplendid^ Profits, which ought to have been 
kept facred* for the improveoicnt of the lands, were 
laid out in ornament, and a real property was con- 
cealed under the trappings of deftrudlive luxury. . 



CHAP. VIII. 

Origin <ff the wars between the British and the 

Frsmch i» Canada. 

SUcH was the ftatc of the colony m 1747, when 
La Galifibniere was appointed governor. He wai 
an able, refolute, and a^iive man ^ a man of great 
ileadinefs, becaufe he a6led upon found principles* 
The Britifli wanted to extend the linnits of Nova 6co« 
tia, or Acadia, as far as the fouth ^e of the river St 
Lawrence. He thought this an unjuf^ claim, and was 
derermined to confine them within the peninlula, 
trJUch Jic apprekcndcd toVit\k«liauts fetcUd \>f uaxj. 



SITTIBMEITTS Dl AMERICA. 9|3b 

Their ambition ofnencroachmg on the inland paits^ 
particularly towards the Ohio or Fair River, he like* 
wife thought unrc&Tonable. He was .of opinion, that 
the Apalachian mountains ought to be the boundary 
of their pofiiUIions, and was: fulhpi determined they 
ihould not pafs them. His fucceflbr, who was ap- 
pointed whihihe' was coIleAing the means of accom« 
pUQiing this vaftdefign, entered into his views with 
ail the warmth they deferved* Numbers of forts wer^ 
immediately erected on all fides, to fupport the fyfteni 
which-thecourt had adopted, perhaps, without forc«i 
fi^cit^g, or perhaps witlwut fufficiently attending to^ 
the oonfequehces. 

Ar this period began thofe hoftilities between tho 
Britifli and the French in North America, which wero 
Father countenanced than openly avowed by the ref- 
pedive mother countries* This dandcftine mode of 
carrying on the war was perfe£Uy agreeable to the 
miniAry at VcrfaHles, as it afforded an opportunity oS 
recovering by degrees, and without expofing theis 
weaknefs, what they bad loft by treaties, at a time 
when the enemy had impofed their own terms. Thefe 
repeated checks at laft opened the eyes of Great Bri^ 
tain, and difclofed the political fyftem of her rival* 
George II thought an equivocal fituation was incon« 
iUlent with the fuperiority of his maritime forces. Hit 
flag was ordered to infuk the French flag on every feav 
The Engliih accordingly took or diiperfed all the 
French ibips they met wicb> and in 175^ fteered to4 
wards Cape Breton. ^ 



CHAR 



S4t HISTORT OF T HE BRT i' JSH 

C H A P IX. 
Conquift rf Cape Breton by tht British. 

THIS iflandy the key of Canada, already had 
been attacked ia 1745; and the event is of ft> 
Angular a nature, that it deferves a particular detail. 
The plan of this firft invafion was laid at BoftoD, and 
Kew England bore the expence of it. A merchant, 
named Pepperel, who had ftirred up, eocouraged, 
and diredtcd the enthufiafm of the colony, was in- 
truded with the command of an army of 6coo men, 
who had been levied for this expedition. 

Though thefe forces, convoyed by a fquadros £rom 
Jamaica, brought the firft news to Cape Breton of the 
danger that threatened them , though the advantage 
of a fur prize would have fecured their landing with- 
out oppofition ; though they had but 600 regular 
troops to encounter, and 800 inhabitants hafVily arnw 
ed ; the fuccefs of the undertaking was ftill precari- 
ous. What great exploits, indeed, could he expe^ed 
from a raw militia, haflily aflembled, who had never 
feen a fiege or faced an enemy, and were to ad un- 
der the guidance of fea officers only. Thefe unex- 
perienced troops iiood in need of the affiflance of 
Some fortunate incident, which they were indeed 
favoured with in a lingular manner. 

The conftrudlion and repairs of the fortifications 
had at all tirnes been left to the management of the 
garrifon of Louifbourg. The foldiers were eager of 
bt ing employed in thefe works, which they confidered 
«s conducive to their fafety, and as a means of pro- 
curing a comfortable fubfiQence. When they found 
tku choic who wt^ce 10 U2Lse ^ aid them appropriated 

die 



SETTTLEMENTS IN AMERICA'. t49t 

thlB fhiit of thetrlabours to their own ufe, they de- 
manded juftice. It was denied thenii and they de^ 
termined to maihtain their right. As rhefe depreda* 
ttons had been fhared between the chief perfons of: 
the colony and the fubaltern officers, the foldiers 
could obtain no redrefi. Their indignation againft 
thefe rapacious extortioners rofe to fuch a height, 
that they defpifed all authority. They had lived in 
open rebellion for dx months paft, when the Engliih 
djipeared before the place. 

This was the time to concilitate the minds of both 
parties, and to unite in the common cauie. The fol- 
diers made the Bri\ advances; but their commanders 
niiftruftcd a generofity of which they themielves were 
iiKapable. If thefe mean opprefibrs could have con- 
ceived it poilible that the foldiery could have enter- 
tained fuch eleVated notions as to facrifice their own 
refentment to the good of their country, they would 
have taisen advantage of this difpoficton and have fal- 
len upon the enemy whilft they were forming their. 
camp and beginning to open their trenches. BeHegers, 
unacquainted with. any military principle, would have, 
been difconcerted by regular and vigorous attacks. 
The firft checks might have been fufficient to dif«: 
courage them, and to make them relinquiOi the under«i 
taking. But.it was firmly believed, that the foldiers were: 
defirous of fallying out, only that they might have aa: 
oipportunity of delerting ; and their own officers kept 
them in a manner prifoners, till a defence fo ill mana-- 
ged;bad reduced them to the neceffity of capitulating* 
The whole ifland fhared the fate of Louifbourg, iw 
caily bulwarks 

This valuaBle poflelBoo, rcftored to France by thoc 
treaty of Aix la Chapelle, was again attacked by the^ 
£ngli(h in 1756. On the 2d of June, a fleet of twenty-' 
three fhipa of the line and eighteen, frigatesi carrYinO 



252 HISTORT OF THE BRITISH 

Notwithftaoding all thefe difadvantagcSj the befieg- 
ed were detcriniiic?d to make an obitinate refiftance. 
While they were employed in defending themfelves 
with fo much'firmnefsy the fuccoun they expeded 
from Canada might poffibly arrive. At all eventSi 
this was a means of preferving that great colony from 
mil fuichcr invafion for the remainder of the cam^ 
paign. It is fcarce credible that this degree of refola- 
^ution was fupported by the courage of a woman. 
Madam de Drucourt was continually upon the ram- 
parts, with her purfe in her hand ; and firiagy faerfelff 
three guns every day, feemcd to difprne with the go- 
vernor her hufband the glory of his office. The he- 
fieged were not difmayed at the ill fuccefs of their fc- 
veral fallies, or the mafterly operations concerted bf 
Admiral Bofcawen and General Amherft. It was but 
at the eve of an siilault, which it was impoffible to fuf- 
tain, that they talked of furrendering. They madcaa 
honourable capitulation ; and the conqOeror (he«red 
more refpefl for his enemy and for himfelf, than CO 
luUy his glory by any ad of barbarity or avarice. 



CHAP. X. 
The Bkitish attatk Canada. 

THE conqueft of Cape Breton opened the way in- 
to Canada. The very next year the feat of war 
was moved thither, or rather the fcenes of bloodfhed 
which had long been a£ted over that immenfe country 
were multiplied. The caufe of thefe proceediqgs was 
tliis : ' . ^ 

The French, fettled in thofe parts, had carried their 
ambitious views towatds xhc north, where the fiw* 
furs were to be badj aud\ixx\i^^tckVtSk^^Jy«!W|. Whca 



SBTTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. *95B 

ihis vein of wealth was exhauflred, or yielded lefs than 
t did at fir(\, their trade turned fouthward, where they 
lifcovered the Ohio, to which they gave the name or 
the Fair River* It laid open the natural communica- 
tion between Canada and Louifiana* For though the 
(hips that fail up to the river St Lawrence go no fur« 
ther than Quebec, the navigation is carried on in bar* 
ges up to the lake Ontario, which is parted from lake 
Erie by a neck of land, where the French very early 
built Fort Niagara. It is on this fpot, in the neigh-* 
bourhood of lake Erie, that the fource of the river 
Ohio is found, which waters the fined country in the 
world, and, increafing by the many rivers that fall 
into it, conveys its waters into the Miflifippi. 

Yet the French made no ufe of this magnificent ca- 
nal. The trifling intercoufe that fubfifted between the 
two colonies was always carried on by the northern 
regions. The new way, which was much (horter and 
eafier than the old, fir{t began to be frequented by a 
body of troops that were fent overtoCanada in 1739, 
to afii(l the colony of Louifiana, which was in open 
war with the Indians. After this expedition, the fouth- 
ern road was again forgotten, and was never thought 
of till the year 17s 3- At that period feveral fmall 
forts were erected along the Ohio, the courfe of 
which had been traced for four years paft. The moft 
confiderable of thefe forts took its name from gover- 
nor Duquefne, who had built it. 

The Britifli colonies could not (ee without concern 
French fettlements raifed behind them, which joined 
%rith the old ones and Teemed to furround them. Th\ey 
were apprthenfive led: the Apalachian mountains, 
whicbwere to form the natural boundaries between 
both nations, (hould not prove a fufliciefK barrier a« 

fiinft the attempts of a reftlefs and warlike neighb^^c^ 
rompted by ihis iniftru(t> they Dputu^^Vi^ ^^^^^ 
^ VoL.lL Z ^^"^ 



954 mSTORT OF THE BRITISH 

theie famous mountains, to difpute the pofleiBon of 
the Ohio with the rival nation. This firft ftep jprovcd 
tinfuccefsfuL The feveral parties that were fucceffive- 
ly fent out were routed ; and the forts were puUed 
down as faft as they built them. 

To put an end to thefe national affrontSi and re- 
venge the difgrace they reflected on the mother coun- 
try, a large body of troops was fent over under the 
command of General Braddock. In the fummer of 
1755, as this general was proceeding to attack fort 
Duquefne with 36 pieces of cannon and 6co men, he 
was furprifed within four leagues of the place by 250 
frenchmen and 650 Indians, and all his army was cut 
to pieces. This unaccountable mifchance put a fiop 
to the march of three numerous bodies that were ad- 
vancing to fall upon Canada. The terror occafioncd 
by this accident made them haften back to their quar- 
ters^ and in the next campaign all their motions wer« 
guided by the moft timorous caution. 

The French were emboldened with this perplexity} 
and, though very much inferior to them, ventured 10 
appear before Ofwego in Auguft i75^J- It was origi- 
naliy a fortified magazine at the mouth of the river 
Onondago on the lake Ontario. It fiood nearly in the 
centre of Canada, in fo advantageous a iituation, tha^ 
many works had from time to time been ereded there 
which had rendered it one of the capital pods in thofe 
parts. It was guv'dcd by i8co men, and 121 pieces 
of cannoDi and ^eat plenty of flores of all kinds. 
Though fo wellVupported, it furrendered in a ft^ 
days to the brl& Bid bold attacks of 3000 men vbo 
vttre laying ilege A it. 

In Auguft i7(^> 5500 French and 1800 Indiaoi 
marched up to Fort^George, fituatcd on lake Sacra- 
jnent, which was 3\i(lly confidered as the bulwark ofjt 
Mhc £n^liih fetitemcTv\s% and ^t. xtxA^LviQus of ?^ 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ajj 

the forces deftined againft Canada. Nature and art 
had coafpired to block up the roads leading to thac 
place, and to make all accefs impracticable. Thefe 
advantages were further fupported by feveral bodies 
of troops placed at proper diftances in the beft poii« 
tions* Yet thefe obftacles were furmounted with fuch 
prudence and intrepidity, as would have been memor- 
able in hi (lory, had the fcene of aft ion lain in a mora 
r* known fpot. The French, after killing or difperiing 
\ all the fmall parties they met with, arrived before the 
place, and forced the garrifon, confifting of 2264 
men, to capitulate. 

This frefli difader rouzed the Britifh. Their gene*' 
rals applied themfelves during the winter feafon to the 
training up of their men, and bringing the feveral 
troops under a proper difcipline. They made thenx 
exercife in the woods, in fighting after the Indiaa 
manner. In the fpring, the army, confifting of 6300 
regulars and 13,000 militia belonging to the colonies^ 
ailembled on the ruins of Fort George. They em- 
barked on lake Sacrament, which parted the colonies 
of both nations ; and marched up to CarilloOj difl^ni; 
but four leagues. 

That fort, which had been but lately efedled on the 
breaking out of the war, was not extenfive enough to 
withfland the forces that were marching againft it. 
They therefore quickly formed intrenchments under 
the cannon of the fort, with ftems of trees heaped up 
one upon another ; and in front they laid large trees, 
and the branches being cut and {harp>ened anfwered 
the purpofe of chevaux de frife. . The colours were 
planted on the top of rampsrts^ behind which lay 
3500 men. # 

The Eoglifli were not difTa^feiAt thefe formidable 
|k appearances, being fully determined to remove the 
diij^race of their former nuCcarm^c& vtv ^ ^^xx^v^^ 



^ HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

where the profperity of their trade depended on the* 
fuccefs of their arms. On the 8th of July tJS^y they 
Vuihed upon thefe palifades with the wilded fury. In 
▼ain did the French fire upon them from the top of 
the parapet, whil(^ they were unahle to defend them- 
ielves. They fell upon the iharp fpikes, and were 
entangled among the flumps and boughs through 
^hich their eageruefs had made them ruQi. All thefe 
loflei ferved but to iucreafe their furious violence, it 
continued for upwards of four hours, and coii them 
above 4000 of their brave men before they would 
give up this rafh anddefperate undertaking. 

They were equally unfucccfsful in lefler adlions. 
They did not infult one pod without meeting with a 
rcpulfe. Every party they fent out was beaten, and 
every convoy intercepted. The depth of winter, 
which ought to have been their pi-ote^ion, was the 
tery feafon in which the Indians and Canadians car- 
ried fire and fword to the frontiers and into the very 
heart of the Engliih colonies. 

All tliefe dii'afiers were owing to a falfe principle- 
•f government; The Britifh miniAry had always 
entertained a notion that the fuperiority of their navy 
Iras alone fufficient to afit:rt their dominion in Ame- 
rica, as it afforded a ready conveyance for fuccoursi 
and could eafily intercept the enemy's forces. 1 

Though experience had fhewn the fallacy of thefe ^ 
notions, the miniftry did not even endeavour to di- 
niinifh the ill effeAs of them by the choice of their 
generals. Almoft all thofe who were employed in 
this fervice were deficient in point of abiiitict and 
adlivity. K 

The armies were not fuch as would make amendi 

for the defefts of their commanders** The troops in- 

WeeJ were not wanung \iv that daring fpirit and invin- 

cJble courage whlcb \a ibc 0\2X2£\m^<c. ^1 vW BriM<b 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA^ ^5^,. 

foldiers, ariCng from the climate, and ftill more from 
the nature of their government -, but thefe national 
qualities were counterbalanced or exringuiObed by the 
hardfhips they underwent, in a country deiVtute of 
all the conveniences that Europe aff irds. As to the 
militia of the colonies, it was made up of peaceable 
hulbandmen, who were not inured to fluighter, like 
mod of the French colooi(U| by a habit of huaiinj^ 
and by military ardor^ 

To thefe difadvantages, arifing fro.n the n^tii»'e f 
things^ were added others ahogether owing to uif^ 
conduA The poAs ereAed For the ia^ety of the fe* 
veral hnglifli fettlements^ were not fo coui rived as to 
fupport and aiBi^ each other* The provinces having 
all feparate intereAs, and not being united Uiider the 
authority of one head» did not concur in thofe joint 
efforts for the good of the whole, and that unanimity 
of fentiments which alone can infure the fuccefs of 
their meafures* T he feafon of action was waded ia 
vain altercations between the governors and the co^ 
lonids* Every plan of operation that met with oppo«» 
.fition from any aSembly was dropped* if any on^ 
was agreed upoq, it was certainly made public befor^ 
the execution i and by thus divulging it, they made it 
mifcarry* Ladly, they were in irreconcileable eamity 
with the Indians- 

Thefe nations had always fhewn a vifible parttality 
for the French, in return for the kindnefs they had 
fhewn them in fending miffijnarteSi whom they con* 
fidered rather as amb.tfiadors from the prince tlian as 
fent from God. Theie miffionaries, by duJying the 
language of the favages, conforming to their temper 
and iiKlinations, and putting m pra^ice every atten«» 
cion to gain their confidence, had acquired Jta ibfo- 
lute dominion over their minds. The French catom^ls 
far fsQOk communicating the Euro^du t&ASKi^'c%N^>^^^ 

Z3 



ft58 mSTORT OF THE iiRITrSH 

srdopted thoie of the country they lived in ; their in- 
dolence in time of peace, their activity in war, and 
their conftant fondoefs for a wandering life. 

Their (Vrong attachment to the French was prodjac- 
five of the moft inveterate hatred againd the £nglilh. 
In their opinion, of all the European favages thefe 
Were the hardeft to tame, llieir averfion loon ro(b 
to madnefs; and to a thirft for Englifh blood, when 
they found that a reward was offered for their de- 
firuAion, and that they were to be turned out of their 
native land by foreign aflaffins. The fame hands 
which had enriched the Englifh colony with their furs 
now took up the hatchet to dcftroy it. The Indiana 
purfued the Englifh with, as much eagernefs as they 
did the wild beaA^* Glory was no longer their aim 
In battle, their only objedl was flaughter. They de* 
Aroyed armies which the French wiihed only to (nb* 
due. Their fury rofc to fuch a height, that an Eng« 
lifh prifoncr having been conduced into a lonely ha« 
Citation, the woman immediately cut off* bis arm, and 
xnade her family drink the biood that ran from it* A 
iniilionary Jefuit reproaching her with the atrociout 
nefs of the action, fhe anfwered him, ** My children 
•* muft be warriors, and therefore they muft be fed 
^ with the blood of their enemies. 



C HAT. 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. ftff 



CHAP. XI. 

Taking of QUEBEC ^y /^^ British* 

SUCH was the ftateoff things, vhen an £ng1i£h fleet 
entered the river 6t Lawrence in June 1759- No 
fooner was it anchored at the iile of Orleans^ than 
eight fire- (hips were fent off to confume it. Had they 
executed their orders, not a (hip or a man would havt 
efcapeds but the captains who conducted the operas 
tion were feized with a panic. They fet fire to their 
▼efiels too foon, and hurried back to land in theijr 
boats. The affailants had feen their danger at a dif* 
tance, but w<re delivered from it by this accident^ an<ji 
from that moment the conqueft of Canada was almoft 
certain. 1 

- The BritUh- flag foon appeared before Quebedw 
The bufinefs was to land there, and to get a firoti 
footing in the neighbourhood of the town in order to 
lay fiege to it. But they found the banks of the river 
fo well entrenched, and fo well defended by troops and 
redoubts, that their firft attempts were fruitlefs. Every 
landing coft them torrents of blood, without gaining 
any ground. They had perfifted for fix weeks in thcle 
unfucceisful endeavours, when at lafl they had the fiuN 
gular good fortune to iand unperceived. It was oa 
the 12th of September, an hour before break of day^ 
three miles above the town. Their army, confining 
• of 6c GO men) was already drawn up in order of bat- 
tle, when it was attacked the next day by a corps that 
was weaker by one- third. For fome time ardour 
fupplied th4 want of numbers. At lall, French viva, 
city gave up the victory to the eDemy, who bad loft 



-'1 



t^ HISTORY OF THE BRITISH ■' 

the Intrepid Wolfe their general^ but did not lo(e their 
confidence and rcfolution. 

This was gaining a confideraUe advantage, but it 
might not have been decifive. Twelve hours would 
have been fofficient to called the troops Chat were 
poAed within a few leagues of the field of battle, tor 
join the vanquiChed army, and inarch up to the goo- 
queror with a force fupeiior to the former. This was 
the opinion of the French general Montcaloiy wfao^ 
being mortally wounded in the jretreat, had time ea« 
ongh, before he expired, to thmk of the fafety of his 
men, and to encourage them to repair their dlTafter. 
I'his generous motion was over^rulcd by the council 
of war They removed ten leagues otL The Cheva- 
lier de Levy, who had hailened from his poft to re- 
place Montcalm, blamed this infiance of cowardice. 
-They were afhamed of it, and wanted to recall it» and 
make another attempt for viAory ; but it was too late, 
i^ebec, three parts deftroyed by the firing from the 
ibips, had capitulated on the 17th* 

A\i Europe thought the taking of this place had 
put an end to the great con ted of North America. 
They never imagined that a handful of Frenchmen^ 
in want of every thing, who feemed to be in a defper- 
ate condition, would dare to think of protraAine 
their inevitable fate. They did not know what their 
people were capiable of doing. They haftily complete 
«cd fome entrenchments that had been begun ten 
leagues above Quebec* Ihere they left troops fuffi- 
cient to Aop the progrefs of the enemy; and pro»- 
cecdcd to Montreal, to concert meafures to cancel 
their difgrace. 

Ic was there agreed, that in the fpring they fiioukl 

march out with an ^rmed force againft (^lebec. to 

retake it by furprife \ or if that fhould faU to beficge 

it m form. They had uQV\^^\SkikttLdiaefi for that 



SETTLSMENTS IM AMERICA. Tfit, 

jhirpofe; but the plan was fo concertjqd that they 
ihould enter upon the undertaking jufl: at the tQftant 
when the fuccours they expend from France could 
not fail of cdming. 

Though the colony had long been in dreadful want 
of every things the preparatives were already n^ade, 
when the ice, which covered the whole river, began 
to give way tawards the middle, and opened a fmall 
oanaL They dragged fome boats over the ice, and 
flipped them into the water. The army confifting of 
citizens and foldiers, who made but one body, and4 
were animated with one foul, fell down this Aream, 
with inconceivable ardour, on the i2th of April 1760.^ 
The Britifb thought they ftill lay quiet in their winters- 
quarters. The army, already landed, was jud come 
up with an advanced guard of 150c men, potted threcr 
leagues from Quebec. This party was '}\ii\ upon the 
point of being cut to pieces, had it not been for one» 
of thofe unaccountable incidents which no bumaQi 
prudence can forefee. \ 

A gunner, attempting to ftep out of his boat, hadf 
fallen into the water. He caught hold of a flake of. 
ke, climbed up upon it, and fwam down the dream.; 
As he pafled by Quebec, clofe to the (hore, he warn 
ieen by a centinel ; who, obferving a man in didrefsn 
called out for help. They flew to his aflidaoce, and^ 
feund'him motioniefs They knew him by his unii-. 
form to be a French foldier, and carried him to the 
governor's houfe, where by the help of fpirituous li- 
quors they recalled him to life for a mocaeot. Ha 
juit recovered his fpeech enough to tell them that aa 
army of ic,coo French was at the gates, and expired* 
The governor immediately difpatched orders to the 
^v|nci^^ g^ard to come within the walls with all ex« 
. pedition*. Notwithdanding their 'precipitnte-rett^at^" 
the French had time to attack. x\wt\c it,^t. K. ^^^ 



a62 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

tnoments later, they would have been defeated, and 
the city retaken* 

The aflailants, however, marched on with an in- 
trepidity which feemed as if they expedled every thing 
from their valour, and thought no more of a furprife. 
They were within a league of the town, when thcf 
were met by a body of 4000 men, who were feni out 
to ftop them. The onfet was (harp, and the refin- 
ance obflinate. The EngliQi were driven back within 
their walls, leaving i8oo of their braveft men upon 
the rpot, and their artillery in the enemy's hands. 

The trenches were immediately opened before 
Quebec ; but as they had none but field> pieces, as rf9 
fuccours came from France* and as a ftrong Ecglifh 
r<|uadron was coming up the river, they were obliged 
to raife the fiege on the i6th of May, and to retreat 
from poft to pod, as far as Montreal. Three formif 
dable armies, one of which was come down, and 
another up the river, and a third proceeded over the 
lake Cham plain, furrounded thefe troops, whiri^were 
not very numerous at firH*, were now exceediiigif 
reduced by frequent fkirmiOies and continual fatigueii 
and were in want both of provifions and warlike 
ftores. Thefe miferablc remains of a body of 7^00 
men, who had never been recruited, and had fo much 
iignalizcd themfelvcs, with the help of a few militia 
and a few Indians, were at hd: forced to capitulatCi 
and for the whole colony. The conqueft was con- 
firmed by the treaty of peace, and this country in* 
creafed the pofleffious of theBritifh in North- Americv 



CHAP. 



■^ %, < «■ 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. tSf, 



C H A P* XIL 

Canada is ceded to Britain. Wbat adventages Jim 
might derive from tbst poffi^n* 

THE acquifiUon of an immenfe territory is not 
the only advantage accruing to Great Britain 
from the fuccefs of her arms. The confiderable po- 
pulation (he has found there is of Aill greater import- 
ance. Some of thefe numerous inhabitants, it is true, 
Bave fled from a new dominion, which admitted Ho 
other difference among men hot fuch as arofe from 
pcrfopal qualities, education, fortune, or the pro- 
perty of being ufefiul to fociety. But the emigration 
of thefe contemptible perfons, whofe importance was 
founded on nothing but barbarous cuftom, cannot 
furely have been confidersd as a misfortune. Would 
not the colony have been much benefited by getting 
rid of that indolent nobility that had encumbered it 
fo long, of that proud nobility that kept up the con- 
tompt for all kinds of labour ? The only things necef- 
fary to make. the colony profper, are, ,that its lands 
ihould be cleared, its forefts cut down, its iron mines 
worked, its fifheries extendedj its induftry and ex« 
portations improved. 

The province of Canada has been convinced of this 
truth. And indeed, notwithftanding the ties of bloody 
language, religion, and government, which are ufual- 
'ly (o ftrong ; notwith Handing that variety of connec- 
tions and prejudices which afiume fo powerful an gf- 
cendant over the minds of men ^ the CaaatHans have 
not fhewn much concern at the violent feparation hf 
which they were detached from their ancient CQuatc^% 
They have readily concurred \ik ilkkit xs^t.'MA ^vw^^^^^ 



^4 taSTORt OF THE BRITISH- 

by the EngliOi miniftry to eftablifli their happinefs and 
liberty upon a folid foundation. 

The laws of the Englilh4dn>tpalty^ were fird given 
them. But this innovation was fcarcely perceived by 

'them; becaufe it fcarce cobcemed any except the 
conquerors, who were in pofleffion qf all the mari- 
time trade of the colony. 

* They have paid more attention to theeftabliflintieht 
of the criminal lawt of England, which was one of 
he moft happy circumftances Canada could experience. 
To the impenetrable myfterious tranfaflions of a cruel 
inquifition, fucceeded a cool, rational, and public trial; 
a tribunal dreadful and accuftomed to (bed blood was 

'replaced by human judges, more difpofed to acknow- 
ledge innocence than to fiippofe criminality. 

The conquered people have been ftill more delight- 
ed on finding the liberty of their perfons fecured for 
ever by the famous law of Habeas Corpus. As they 
had too long been vidlims of the arbitrary wills of 
thofe who governed them, they have bleiled the be- 
neficent hand that drew them from a (late of flavery, 
to put them under the prote£lion of the laws. 

The attention of the Britifh miniftry wiis afterwards 
taken up in fupplying Canada with a code of civil laws. 
This important work, though intrufted to able induf- 
trious, and upright lawyers, hath not yet obtained 
the fanftion of government. If the fucccfs anfwers 
the expcAations, a colony will at laft be found which 
will have a ligiflattve fyftem adapted to its climate, its 
population, and its labourst. ' ' 

Independent of thefe parential views, Great Britain j 
has thought in her political intercft to introduce, by i 
fecret iprings, among h^r new fubje6>s, an inclination 
for the cuftoms, the language, the worfhip, and the 

opinions, of the moiYvet co'v^YvKvy, 'J his kind of ana- 

Jogy is; in fa£t> gcntiaAVj^^V^^xtv^^WAQi^Jbfc^tong- 



SEfTLEMteWtB IN AMERfcA. ^^ 

eft bands that can attach the colonies to the mother 
country. But we imagine that the prefent fituatioQ 
of things ought to have occa&oned a preference to a» 
nother fyftem. Britain his at this time To much rea» 
fon to be appreheodve fqr the fpirit of independence 
v^hich prevails in North America, that perhaps it 
would have been more fbr her advantage to maintaia 
Canada in a kind of difiin£l ftate from the other pro* 
vinces, rather than bring them nearer to each other 
by afEnities which may one day unite (hem |oo clofely. 

However this may be, the Britifh miniftry have givea ' 
the £ngli(h government to Canada, fo far as it was 
confident with an authority entirely regal, and with*- 
out any mixture of a popular admini(lration. Their 
new fubjeAs, fecure from the fear of future wars, 
eafed of the burdert of defending diftant pofts which 
removed them far from their habitations,v and depriv* 
ed of the fur- trade which has returned into its natur* 
al channel, have only to attend to their cultures. As 
thefe advance, their intercourfe with Europe and witbi 
the Caribbee iflaiids will increafe, and foon become 
Tery confiderable. It will for the future be the only^ 
refource of a vaft country, into which France former* 
ly poured immenfe fums, confideiing it as the chidE 
bulwark of her fouthern iflands* 



VoL.B. Aa BOOit 



«M mSTORT OF THE BRITISH 

BOOK IV. 

GENERAL 
JIEFLECTIONS AND REMARKS 
rON ALL THE COLONIES. 

l. 

Extent 0/ the British Domihions in 
North America. 

THE two Floridas, part of Louifianai and all Ca« 
nada» obtained at the fame acra either by con- 
queft or treaty, have rendered Britain mit^refs of all 
that fpace which extends from the river 8t Lawrence 

io the Midifippi ; fo that^ without reckoning Hudfon's 
hy I Newfoundland, and the other iflands of North 
America) ihe is in pofleffion of the mo(^ extenfive em* 
pire that ever was formed upon the face of the globe. 
U'his vaft territory is divided from north to fouth by 
a chain of high mountains, which, alternately reced- 
ing from and approaching the coaft, leave between 
them and the ocean a rich tra£^ of land of an hundred 
and fifty, two hundred, and fometimes three hundred 
miles in breadth. Beyond thefe Apalachian moun- 
tains is an immenfe defert, into which fome travellers 
^ave ventured as far as eight hundred leagues without 
finding an ei^d to it. It is fuppofcd that the rivers at 
the extremity of thefe uncuhivated regions have a com- 
munication with the South 8ca. If this conjecture, 
vhich is not dcftltute of probability fhould be confirm- 
Isd by experience. Britain wo^ld unite io her colonies 

aU 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 267 

all the branches of communication and commerce of 
the new world. By her territories^ extending froitt 
one Americaa Tea to the other, (he may be faid to 
join the four quarters of the world. From all her 
European pores from all her African fettlements, fhc 
freights and fends out ihips to the new world. From 
her maritime fettlements in the Eaft ihe would have lb 
dire<n channel to the Wed Indies by the Pacific ocean^ 
She would difcover thofe flips of land or branches of 
the Tea, the iHhmus or the ftrait which lies between 
the northern extremities of Aiia and America. By 
the vail extent of her colonies (he would have in her 
own power all the avenues of trade, and would fecure 
all the advantages of it by her numerous fleets* Per- 
haps by having the empire of all the Teas, flie might 
afpire to the (upremacy of both worlds. But it is qq% 
in the de(liny of any Angle nation to attain to fuch a 
pitch of greatnefs* Is then extent pf dominion fo flat- 
tering an objedt, when conquefts are made only to be 
.loft again ? Let the Romans fpeak I Does St conftitute 
power to poflefs fuch a fliare of the globe that fomp 
part fliall always be enlightened by the rays of the fun^ 
if while we reign in one world we are to languiih ia 
obfcurity in the other ? Let the Spaniards anjwer ! 

The Englifh will be happy if they can preferve, by 
the means of culture and navigation! an empire whichi 
muft ever be found too exteniive when it cannot be 
maintained without bloodfhed. iiut as this is the price 
which ambition muft always pay for the fuccets of its 
enterprizes, it is by commerce alone that conquefts 
can become valuable to a maritime power. Never did 
war procure for any conqueror a territory more im« 
pioveable by human induftry than that of the northera 
continent of America. Although the land in general 
is fo low near the Tea, that in many parts it is fcarccly 
4iftinguipiable from the top of the main mafty eveo 

^ after 



a6f HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

after bringing in fourteen fathom, yet the coaft is ve- 
ry eafy of accefs, becaufe the depth diminifhes infen« 
fibly as you advance. From this circumdance it is ea- 
fy to determme exaAIy by the line the diilance of the 
main land. Befides this the mariner has another flgn, 
which is the appearance of trees, that, feeming to a- 
jnfe out of the fcaf from an enchanting objedi to his 
view upon a fliore which prefents roads*and harbours 
without number for the reception and prefcrvation of 
ihipping. 

The produAions of the earth arife in great abund<* 
ancc from a foil newly cleared ; but in return they are 
a long time of coming to maturity. A^any plants are 
even fo late in flower^ that the winter prevents their 
ripening ; while, on our continent, both the fruit and 
the kcd of them are gathered in a more northern la- 
titude. What (hould be the caufe of this phsenomcnoo i 
Before the arrival of the Europeans, the North A- 
mericans, living upon the produce of their hunting 
and fifhery, left their lands totally uncultivated. The 
whole country was covered with woods and thickets. 
Under the ihade of thefe fbrefts grew a multitude of 
plants. The leaves, which fell every winter from the 
trees, formed a bed three or four inches thick. fie« 
"fore the damps had quite rotted this fpecies of ma- 
nure the fummer came on ; and nature, left entirely 
to herfelf, continued heaping inceilantly upon each 
other thefe effects of her fertility. The plants buried 
under wet leaves, through which they with difficulty 
made their way in a long courie of time, became ac« 
cadomed to a flow vegetation. The force of culture 
has not yet been able to fubdue this habit fixed and 
confirmed by ages, nor have the difpofitions of nature 
given way to the influence of art. But this climatCt 
fo long unknown or negleded by mankind, prefents 
iheai with advantages wVkVi Cu^^l^ the .defeats and ill 
can/cqueoccs of that Qiin\!&LOtk« U. 



SSTTLEMENTS Xtt AMBMCA. ^ 

It 

Trees peculiar to North Ame'ricj* 

IT produces almoft all the trees that are natives of 
our climate It has alfo others peculiar to itfclf ^ 
among thefe are the fugar maple, aod the candleberry 
inyrtle. The candlebcrry myrtle is a (hrub which de- 
lights in a moiit foil ; and is, therefore* feldom found 
at any difUnce from the fea. Its feeds are covered 
with a white powder, which looks like flour WheQ 
they are gathered towards the end of autumn, and puc 
into boiling water, there rifes a vifcous body, which 
fwims at the top, and is ikimmed o£F. As foon as ih\» 
is come to a confiftence, it is commonly of a dirt/ 
green colour. To purify it, it is boiled a fecond time ^ 
when it becomes tranfparenc, and of an agreeable 
green. 

This fubftance, which in quality and confidence is a 
medium between tallow and wax, fupplied the place 
o^ both to the firft Europeans that landed in this coun«> 
fry. The dearnefs of it has occafiooed it to be the 
lefs ufed, in proportion as the number of docneftic^* 
nimals hath increafed. Neverthelefs^ as it burns flower 
than tallow, is 4efs fubjeA to melt, and has not that 
difagreeable fmell, it is ttill (preferred, wherever it can 
be procured at a nu)derate price. Yhc property of 

! living light is, of all its ufes, the kaft valuable It 
erves to make excellent foap and ptafters for wounds r 
it is even employed for tlic porpofe o<f iealiog letters. 
The fugar maple does noc merit lefs attention than- the 
'candleberrj myrtle^ as may be conceived £ram» its 
namifi 



%f^ U&rORY OT THE BRITISH * 

This tree, who(e nature it is to flouri(h by the fide 
of ftreams, or in marfhy places, grows to the height 
of an oak. In the month of March, an incifion of 
the dtpth of three or four inches is made in the lower 
part of the trunk. A pipe is put into the orifice, thro' 
which the juicCi that flows from it, is conveyed into 
a vefiksl placed to receive it. The young trees are fb 
full of this liquor, that in half an hour they will fill 
Mr quart bottle. The old ones afford lefs, but of a 
tnuch better quality. No more than one incifion or 
two at moft can be made without draining and weak- 
ening the tree. If thre or four pipes are appliedi it 
loon dies. 

■ 

The fap .of this tree has naturally the flavour of 
honey. To reduce it to fugar, they evaporate it by 
£re, till it has acquired the confidence of a thick 
fyrup. It is then poured Into moulds of earthen ware 
or bark of the birch-tree. The fyrup hardens as it 
cools, and becomes a red kind of fugar, almoin tran- 
fparent, and pleafant enough to the taRe. To give it 
a whitencfsi they fometimes mix up flour with it in 
the making ; but this ingredient always changes the 
flavour of it. This kind of fugar is ufcd for the fame 
purpbfes as that which is made from canes y but eigh- 
teen or twenty pounds of juice go to the making of 
one pound of fugar^ fo that it can be of no great uie i 
in trade. 



\. 



VL 



I 



SEaTLBMENTS W AMEHICAL tf i 

III. 
BiftDs pecuRar u North America. 

A Midst the multitude of birds which inhaUt th» 
forefts of North America, there is ooe extreme* 
If fingular in its kind. This is the humming bird ; % 
fpecies of which, on account of its fmallnefs, is called 
by the French Voifeau mouche, or the fly bird. It$ 
beak is long, and pointed like a needle i and its claws 
Rre not thicker than a common pin. ' Upon its head 
it has a black tuft, of incomparaUe beauty. Its breafi 
is of a rofe colour, and its belly white as milk. The 
i>ack, wings, and tail, are grey, bordered with fili^er^ 
and ftreaked with the brighteft gold. The down^ 
which covers all the plumage of this little bird, gives - 
it fo delicate a cad, that it refembles a velvet flower^ 
whofe beauty fades on the flighted touch. 

The fpring is the only feafon for this charming bird* 
Its neft, perched ou the middle of a bough, is covered 
on the outflde with a grey and greenifli mo(s, and oc^ 
the iofide lined with a very foh down gathered from 
yellow flowers* This neit is half an inch in depth, 
and about an inch in diameter. There are never found 
more than two eggs in it, about the iize of the fmalleft 
peas. Many attempts have been made to rear the 
young ones ; but they have never lived more than 
three weeks, or a month at moil. 

The humming bird lives entirely on the juice of 
flowers, fluttering from one to another, like the bees«. 
Sometimes it buries itfelf in the calix of the largeil 
Aowers. Its flight produces a buzzing noife like that 
of a fpinning- wheel. When it is tired, it lights upoa 
she neareft tree or flake ; refts a few mioutes, and flies 
sgain to the flowers* Notwithftaxuiins its wcakoefs, ik^ 



t7t HISTORT OF THE BEUTISEF 

does not appear timid ; but will fuflfcr a maa to ap» 
proach within eight or ten feet of it« 

Who would imaginei that fo diminutive an animal 
could be malicious, paffionate, and quarrdfome 3^ 
They are often feen fighting together with great fury 
•nd obftinacy. The ftrokes they give with their beak 
«re {o (udden and fo quick, that they are not difting* 
uifhable by the eye. Their wings move with fuch a«i 
gility, that they feem not to move at all. They are 
tnore heard than feen ^ and their noife refembles that 
of a fparrow. 

Thefe little birds are all impatience. When they 
come near a flower, if they find it faded and withered^ 
they tear al^ the leaves afonder. The precipitation^ 
With which they peck it, betrays« as it b faid, the 
rage with which they are animated* Towards the 
end of the fummer, thouiands of flowers may be feen 
fiript of all their leaves by the fury of the By-birds* 
It may be doubted, however, whether this mark of 
refentment is not rather an cffe& of hunger than of 
an unnecefiTartly deftru^tive indind. 

North America formerly was devoured by infeAs. 
As the air was not yet purified, nor the ground cleav- 
ed , nor the woods cut down, nor the waters drained 
ofiT, thefe little animals deftroyed, without oppofition, 
all the produ<5^ions of nature. None of them was 
ufeful to mankind. There is only one at prefenc^ 
which is the bee : but this is fuppofed to have been 
carried from the old to the new world. The favagfs 
call it, the Englijh-fly ; and it is only found near the 
coads. Thefe circumdances announce it ta be ef 
foreign original. The bees fly in DBmerous fwwns 
through the fbrefts of the new world. They ioepeafe 
tvcrj day. Their honey is employed to fevcral ufes* 
Many pcrfons make it their food. The vrax becomes 
daily a more confidcrable branch of trade* 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERiqA- .ajl 

IV. 

The English /idpp/j^ North Amee^ca vfUk 

domejiic animals. 

THE bee is not the on\y prefent which Europe 
has had in her power to make to America. 
f>he has enriched her alio with a breed of domeftic 
animaU ; for the favages had none. America had not 
yet aiTociated beaf^s with men in the labours of culti- 
vation, when the Europeans carried over thither in 
their (hips feveral of our fpecies of domedic animals. 
7'hey have muhiplied there prodigioufly ; but all of 
them, excepting the hog, whofe whole merit confifis 
In fattening himfelf* have loH: much of that ftrength 
and fize which they enjoyed in thofc countries from 
wheqpe they were brought. The oxeo, horfes, an4 
-ilieep^ have degenerated in the northern Britifh colo^ 
nies, though the particular kinds of each had becj^ 
chofen with great precaution. 

Without doubt, it is the climate, the nature of the 
air and the foil, which has prevented the fuccefs o£ 
their tranfplantation . Thefe animals, as well as the mep 
.were at Rrd attacked by epidemical diforders. If the 
contagion did not, as in the men, affect the principles 
,of generation in them, feveral fpecies of them at ieafl: 
were with much difficulty reproduced. Each genera* 
tion fell Qiort of the laft ; and as it happens to Ameri- 
jcan plants in Europe, European cattle continually dc*> 
generated in America, buch is the law of climate^ 
which wills every people, every animal and vegetable 
ipecies, to grow and 3ouri(h in its native foil. The 
love of their own coyntry feems^n ordinance of na^ 
ture prefcribed to all beings, like the defire of preferv* 
ing their e^^ificace. . 



474 • HISTORY OF THE BRITISH' 

V. 

* 

^ EvKOTEAif Grain carried info "HoKTH Amehica 

hytie English 

YET there are certain correfpondences of climate 
which form exceptions to the general rule againH: 
tranfporting animals and plants. When the Englifh 
fird landed on the North American continent, the 
vrandering inhabitants of thofe defolate regions had 
icarcely arrived at the cuhivation of a fmall quantity 
of maize. This fpecies of corn, unknown at that time 
in Europe, was the only one known in the new world. 
The culture of it was by no means difficult The fa« 
irages contented themfelves with taking off the turf, 
making a few holes in the ground with a fHck, and 
throwing into each of them a fingle grain, which pro- 
duced two hundred and fifty or three hundred. The 
method of preparing it for food was not naore com- 
plicated. They pounded it in a wooden or fione 
mortar, and made it into a pafte, which they baked 
under embers. They ate it boiled, or toafted merely 
upon the coals 

The mtize has many advantages. Its leavc;^ are 
ufeful in feeding cattle ; a circumflance of great mo- 
ment where there are very few meadows. A huDgry, 
light, fandy foil agrees bell with this plant The Iced 
may be frozea in the fpring two or three times with- 
out impairing the harveih In ihort, it is of all j^anti 
Itie one that is lead injured by the ezcefs of drought 
or moif^ure. 

Thefe caufes, which introduced the cultivation of it 

in that part of the world, induced the Engliflb to pre- 

ferve and even promote it in their fettlements. They 

fold it to Poriuga\| lo &q\u\i ^\acrict^ aad the fogar 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. v/s 

iflandsi and had Aifficient for their own ufe. They, 
^id not, however negleA to enrich their plantation! 
vtth European grains i all of which iucceeded, though 
not fo perfectly as in their native foiI« With the m« 
perfluity of their harvcfts^ the produce of their herds^ 
and the clearing of the forefts, the eolonifts formed 
a trade with all the wealthieft and moft populous pro« 
vinces of the new world. 

The mother country, finding that her northern co« 
ionics had fupplanted her in her trade with South 
America and fearing that they would foon become 
her rivals even in Europe at all the markets for fait 
and corn, endeavoured to divert their induftry to' 
objects that might be more ufcful to her. She wanted 
neither motives nor means to bring about this pur« 
pofe, and had foon an opportunity to carry it into 
execution. 

VI. 

ni English Jtnd the mcejity if having their naval 

Jloresjrom All £Rica^ 

THE greateft part of the pitch and tar the Eng1i(h 
' wanted for their fieets, ufed to be fumifhed by 
Sweden. In 17039 that ftate was fo blind to its hue 
intereft, as to lay this important branch of commer(;e 
]ander the reftriAions of an exclufive patent. The firft 
effeA of this monopoly was a fudden and unnatural 
increaie of price. England, taking advantage of this 
blunder of the Swedes, encouraged by coniiderabfe 
premiums the importation of all forts of naval ftores 
which North A merica could furnifh. 

Thefe rewards did not immediately produce the 
effect that was expcAed from them. A oloody war^^ 
raging in each of the four cpaiUts oi xi^it NnQ\:\^>^^t.- 



176 HBTORt OF THE BRITISH 

^rent^ both the mother couotiy and the colonies from 
giving to this infant revolution of commerce the at- 
tention which it merited. The northern nations, 
whofe intereiis were united, taking this ina^on, which 
was only occafidtied bf the hurry of a war, for an ab- 
folute proof of inability, thought they might without 
danger lay upon the exportation of marine ftores every 
reftriAive claufe that could contribute to enhance the 
price of them. For this end they entered into 
mutual engagements, which were made public ia 
17 iS, a time when all the maritime powers, ftill 
^elt the effeAs of a war that had continued fourteen 
years. 

England was alarmed by fo odious a convention. 
She difpatched to America men of fufficient ability to 
convince the inhabitants how neceflary it was for them 
to affift the views of the mother country; and of fuf** 
ficient experience to diredl their firft attempts towards 
great objedls, without making them pafs through thofe 
minute details, which quickly extinguifli an ardour 
excited with difficulty. In a very ihort time fuch 
quantities of pitch, tar, turpentine, yards and mafts, 
were brought into the harbours of Great Britain, 
that {he was enabled to fupply the nations around 
her. 

This (hdden fuccefs blinded the Britiih government. 
The cheapnefs of the commodities fiirnifhed by the 
colonies, in comparifon of thofe which were brought 
from the baltic, gave them ah advantage which feem- 
cd to infure a conftant preference. Upon this the 
minidry coucluded that the bounties might be with- 
drawn. But they had not taken into their calculation 
the difference or freight, which was entirely in favour 
of their rivals. A total ftop enfucd in this branch of 
trade, and made them fetvdble of their error. In 1729 
Mbey revived the bouu\k^\ viYiyOcl^^O ^JcL't^ were 



SETFLEMENTS IN AMERICA. tjj 

»o( laid fo high as formerly, were fufficient to give 
to the vent of American (lores the grcateft fuperiori^ 
tji at leaft in £ngland| over thofe of the northera 
nations. 

The woods, though they conftituted the principal 
riches of the colonies, had hitherto been overlooked ' 
by the governors of the mother country. The pro- 
duce of them had long been exported by the EngliOi 
to Spain, Portugal and the difierent markets in the 
Mediterranean, where it was bought up for building 
and other ufes. As thefe traders did not take in re- 
turn merchandife fufficient to complete their cargoes, " 
it had been a pradtice with the Hamborghers, and 
even the Dutch, to import on their bottoms the pro- 
duce of the moft fertile climates of Europe. This 
double trade of export and carrying had confiderab- 
ly augmented the Britifh navy. The parliament, be* 
ing informed of thif advantage, in the year 1722, im* 
mediately exempted the timber of the colonies from 
all thofe duties of importation, which Ruffian, Swed- 
iOi, and Danifh timber are fubjeA to« This firft fa- 
vour was followed by a bounty, which, at the fame 
time that it comprehended every fpecies of wood ia 
general, was principally calculated for thofe whicti 
are employed in (hip- building. An advantage, (o 
confiderable in itfelf as this was, would have been 
greatly improved, if the colonies had built among 
themklves veflels proper for tranfporting cargoes of 
fuch weight : if they had made wood-yards, frooji 
which they might have furni(hed complete freights^ 
and, finally, if they had aboli(hed the cuflom of bum«i 
ing in the (pring the leaves which had fallen in the 
preceding autumn* This fooliih pradlice dedroys all 
the young trees, that are beginning in that (eafon to 
ihoot out ; and leaves only the old ones^ wKlck ^^^ 
too rotten for ufe* It is notoriow, x!b^;aiX NtSieV^ t.csrcv 
V0L.IL Bb 



178 HISTORT OF THE BftmsH 

ftrudcd in America, or with American materials, laft ^ 
but a very (hort time. This inconvenience may arife 
from feveral caufes ; but that which has juft been 
mentioned merits the greater attention, as it may be 
cafily remedied. Befides timber and maAs for fhips, 
America is capable of furnifliing likewife faib and 
xigging« by the cultivation of hemp and flax. 

Ihe French proteftants, who, when driven from 
their country by a vidorious prince fallen into a ftatc 
of bigotry, carried their national indudry every where 
into the country of his enemies, taught England the 
^alue of two commodities of the utmoft importance 
to a maritime power. Both flax and hemp were cuhi«. 
Tated wijth fome fuccefs in Scotland and Ireland* Yet 
the manufadures of the nation were chiefly fupplied 
witn both from Ruflia. To put a ftop to this foreign 
importation^ it was propofed to grant a bounty to 
North America of 6/. for every ton of thefe articles. 
But habit, which it an enemy to all novelties, however 
vfeful, prevented the colon ifts at fird from being ai* 
lured by this bait. They are fince reconciled to it $ 
and the produce of their flax and hemp ferves to keep 
at home a confiderab'e part of 1)968,750/. which 
^ent annually out oH Great Britain for the purchafe . 
of foreign linens. Ix may, perhaps, in time be im- 
proved ib far as to be equal to the whole demand of 
the kingdom, and even to fupplant other nations in 
all the markets. A foil entirely frcOi, which cods no 
things ^xxt not (^and in need of manure, is interfc^l* 
cd by navigable rivers, and may be cultivated by flaves, 
affords ground for immenfe expectations. To the 
timber anJ canvas requidte for (hipping we have yet 
10 add iron. Ihe northern parts of America furnifli 
^his commodity, to aflifl in acquiring the gold andfii* 
mt£ y/hkh fo abMniiantlj flow iu the fouthern. 



SETTLEMBSrrS'lN^XmSIQA. ^179 

iO VIL. 

England hgins toget IrMfrmn North America* 

THIS moft ufeful of metals, fo neccflary to mao« 
kind, was unknown to the^ Americans, tiil the 
Europeans taught them the moft fatal ufe of it| thac 
of making weapons. The Englifh themfelves toog ne* 
gle£led the iron mines, which nature had lavilhed on 
the continent where they were fettled. That cbanneL 
of wealth had heen diverted from the mother country 
by being clogged with enormous duties* The proprie<« 
tors of the national mines aided by thofe of the cop« 
pice woods; which are ufed in the working of them» 
had procured impofts to be laid on them that amount* 

• ed to a prohibition. By corruption^ intrigue and fo« 
phiftry, thefe enemies to the public good had ftifled a 
competition, which would have been fatal to their in« 
terefts. At length the government took the firft fteps 
towards a right conduA* The importation of Ameri- 

'Can iron into the port of London was granted duty- 
free ; but at the fame time it was forbid to be carried 
to any other ports, or even more thaa^ten miles in- 
land This whimOcal reftri^ion continued till 1757* 
At that time the general voice of the people called up- 
on the parliament to repeal an ordinance fo manifeii- 

' ly contrary to every principle of {niblic utility, and ta 
extend to the whole kingdom a privilege which had 
been granted exclu(ively to the capital. 

Though nothing could h% ipore reafonable than this 

•demand, it met with the ftrongeft oppoiuion. Com- 
binations of interefted individuals were formed 10 re- 
preftnt, that the hundred and nine forges wrought 
to England, not reckoning thofe of Scotland, produc- 
ed anoualiy eighteen thoufand coos of iroo^ aod* em- 
ployed 



f 8# - BISTORT OF THE B&mSHEr 

ployed a great Dumber of able workmen ; that the 
mines, which were iocihauftible, w^i^d have fuppli* 
ed a much greater quantity, had not a perpetual ap- 

. prcheniioD prevailed that the dudes on American iron 
would be taken off; that the iron works carried oo 

- in Ungland conAimed annually one hundred and nine* 
ty^eight thoufand cords of underwood, and that thofe 

'. woods fuiniihed moreover bark for the tanneries and 
snateiials for Ihip building ; and that the American 
iron, not being proper for Oeel for making {faarp in- 
ilrumentsor many oftheutenlils of navigation, would 
contribute very little to lefieo the importation from a- 
broad, and would have no other effeA than that of 
putting a Oop to the forges of Great liritain. 

The(e groundlefs repre(entations had no weight with 
the parliament who faw clearly, that, unlefs the price 
of the original materials, could be leilened, the nation 
would foon lofe the numberlcft manufadlures of iron 
and Heel, by which it had fo long been enriched, and 
that there was no time to be lod in putting a ftop to 

• the progrefs other nations by their iadudry had made 
in it. It was therefore refolvcd, that the free impor- 
tation of iron from America fliould be permitted in 
all the ports of England. This wife refolution was ac- 

*■ companied with an z& of juAice. The proprietors of 
coppices were by theilatute of Henry Vlli forbidden 
to clear their lands :■ the parliament took off this pro- 
hibition, and left them at liberty to make fuch ufe of 
-their eftates as they fhould think proper. 

Previous to thefe regulations, Great Britain ufed 
to pay annually to Spain, Norway, Sweden, andRuf- 
fia, 437,5001. for the iron flie purchafed of thcm^^ 

• This tribute is greatly leilened, and will leflen Aiil 

• more* The ore is found in fuch quantities in America 
and is, io eafily feparated from the ground, that the 
EogUQi do not dcfpait ol "bLaNvtv^ V\ vck tK-^ir power to 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. «»• 

4bml(h Portugal, Turky, Africa, the Eaft Indies, and 
every count;ry in the world with which they have any 
commercial conne£HoDtt 

Perhaps the Englifh may be too fangnine m their 
veprefentations of the advantages they expe^ from fo 
many articles of importance to their navy. But it is 
fiifficient for them, if by the affiftaoce of their colo- 
nies they can free themfelves from that dependence in 
which the northern powers of Europe have hitherto 
kept them with regard to the equipment of their fleets* 
Formerly their operations might have been piTvenred, 
or at lead interrupted, by a refufal of the neceflar^ 
materials. From this time nothing will be able to 
check their natural ardour for the dominion of the 
fea, .which alone can iafurc to them the empire of the 
new worlds 

VIIL 

' 'BnCLM}9J> enJiavourf fo procure fFine and Silk frw^ 

North America* 

AFtrr having paved the way to that grand objeA^ 
by forming a free, independent nivy, fupcrior 
fo that of every other nation ; England has adopted 
every meafure that can contribute to her enjoyment 
of this fpecies of conquef\ fhe has made in America, 
lefs by the force of her arms than of hev induiiry. ^j 
bounties, judiciouily beOowed, fhe has fucceededTo 
far as to draw annually from that country twenty^ 
million weiglit of potafhes. The greateit progreis has 
been made in the cultivation of rke, mdigo, ^nd to- 
bacco, in proportion as the fettlements^ from their 
natural teiuiency, f);retched further sowards the fuath, 
irefh projedb and enterpiizes- foitable to the ouLX.vk'^^v^C 
the ibll luggefled themfelves. lu \hc xaavgcsaft&asi^>s^ 



tti HISTCmT OF TOE BRITISH 

the hot climates, the feveral produdlions were expeft- 
cd which neccflarily reward the labours of the cultiva- 
tor. Wine was the ouly article that feemed to be want- 
ing to the new hemifphere; and the Engliih, who 
have none in Europe, were eager to produce. fomc in 
America. 

Upon that immenle continent the EngliQi are in 

• pofleffion of, are found prodigious quantities of wild 
vineS) which bear grapes differing in colour, fize, and 
quantity, but all of a four and difagreeable flavour. 
It was fuppofed that good management would give 
thefe plants that perfe£lion which unaffi{led nature 
bad denied them ; and French vine-drefles were invit- 
ed into a country, where neither public nor private 
impofitions took, away their inclination to labouT^by 
depriving them of the fruits of their induf^ry. ' ihc 
repeated experiments they made both with American 
and European plants, were all equally unfuccefsful. 
The juice of the grape was too watery, too weak, and 

• almod impoflible to be prcferved in a hot diniate* 
The country was too full of woods, which attract aod 
confine the moift and hot vapours \ the feafens were 
too unfettled, and the infedh too numerous near the 
foreOs to fuffer a produdion to expand and proffer, 
of which the Britifh, and all other nations who ha^e 
it not, are fo ambitious. The time will come, per- 
haps, tbo' it will be long, when their colonies will 
furnilh them with a beverage, which they envy and 
purchafe from France, repining inwardly that they are 
obliged to contribute towards enriching a rival, whom 
they arc anxious to ruin. This difpofition is cruel. 
Ijritain has other more gentle and more honourable 
means of attaining that profperity {lie is ambitious of* 
Her emulation may be better and more ufefully exert- 
ed on an aiticle now cultivated in each of the four 

^uaitcrs of the globt; x^e^v^ ^&^iSieA >2E^HtQck of tbat 



I 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA- , ^j 

little worm which clothes mankind with the leaves of 
trees digefted in its entrails ; iilk 1 that double prodigy 
of nature and of art. 

A very confiderable Aim of money is annually ex- 

.ported from Great Britain for the purchafe of this 

rich produ^ ion.; which gave rife about thirty yeans 

ago to a plan for obtaining filk from Carolina. The 

jnildnefs of the climate, and the great abundance of 

mulberry- trees, fcemed favourable to the. projeft. 

Some attempts made by the government to attraik 

:fome Switzers into the colony, were more fuccefsful 

than could have been expeAcd. Tet the progrefs qf 

this branch of trade has not been anfwerable to fo 

Sromifing a beginning. The blame has been laid oa 
tie inhabitants of the colony« who buying only negroe 
.men, from whom they received an immediate aqd 
certain profit, negleAed to have women, who with 
their children might have been employed in bringin|; 
• up filk- worms, an occupation fuitable to the weakneis 
of that fex, and to the tendered age. But it ought to 
have been confidered, that men coming from another 
hemifphere into a rude uncultivated country would 
. apply their firft care to the cultivation of efculent 
: plants, breeding cattle, and the toils of immediate nc« 
^''cefiity. This is the natural and confiant proceeding 
; of well-governed Hates. From agriculture which is 
. the iource of population, they rife to the arts of lux- 
s ury ; and the arts of luxury nourifh commerce, which . 

is the child of indufiry and the father of wealth* The 
. time IS, perhaps come, when Britain may employ whole 
« colonics in the cultivation of filk. This is, at lealt^ 
the national opinion. On the i8th of April 1769, 
the parliament granted a bounty of 25 per cent, for 
. feven years on all raw filks imported from the colo* 
, xiies ^ a bounty of 20 ffr cent, for feven years follow- 
ing, imd for &veQ years after tbax ^ >a^>)XiV{ %& \\ \«^ 

«s;x!^ 



0*f.^ 



^4 UBfURT OP 1BE BBRBD 

t9w$» u di V cBCovfagnomf ptodmci nek 
BiciMsa»aM7 rcafoiuMf becspcAcdfrom k^dfee 
ficp ondootxedlj viil be tbe cutdwcioa of coiioaawl 
otWe creesy ivhich liccm fiarticiilarif jdip tB d id the 
diaMUeandlailoftheBritUhcolooieB. Tbcrcareaoc 
^rh9pf» any rich prodofikmi ckfaer io Europe or 
Afia, hot what may be traolplaaced aod cok^aicrf 
with fticMft CO the vaft cootioeoc of North Anerica» 
••s foon fti popolation fliall have provided hands in 
■proportion to the extent and fertilkj of fo rich a «er^ 
ri'ory. llie great obje£k of the mother c o uaif j ai 
prefcoi if the peopling of iier cotonica 

IX 

WbaP UwJ f/ UUn BmiTafM fewpht h$r Nttrii Afmer^ 

csn CtkHus wiik j 



THE firft perfons who landed in the Aden Mi 
fa rage region were £ngli{hmen who had been 
perfccuted at home for their civil and religious opi- 
nions. 

It was not to be expelled that this firft emigration 
would be attended with ioiportatu confcquencos. The 
inhabitants o^ Great Britain are fo ftrongly attached 
to their native foil, that nothing lefs than civil waif 
or revolutions can induce thofe among them who 
have any property, chara^er^ or indudry, to a change 
of climate and country \ for which reafon the re* 
cAabliniment of public tranquillity in JLurope was 
lilccly to put an unrurn^ountable bar to the progrds 
of Atnerican cultivation. 

Add to this, that the Englifh, though naturally 

aAive, ambitious, and enterprifing, were ill-adapted 

to tbe boiiners of clea»tmg the grounds^ Accuilomed 

IP 4 yict ltfc» cafe^- mbA aR»»gt CQiPww K tt»>^^Qdifag 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. - t$g 

bot the enthudafm of religion or politics could Aip* 
port them under the labours, miferies, wants^ and 
calamities, infe parable from new plantations* 

It is further to be obferved, that though England 
might have been able to overcome thefe difficulties^ 
it was not a dedrable obje£^ for her. Without doubt^ 
the founding of colonies, rendering them flourifhiag, 
and enriching herfelf with their produ<f^ions, was an 
advantageous profpeA to her; but thofe advantages 
would be dearly purchafed at the ezpence of her ownr 
population. 

Happily for her, the intolerant and defpotic ipirit, 
that fwayed moti countries of Europe, forced num- 
berkfs viAims to take refuge in an uncultivated traft^ 
which, in its (late of defolation, feemed to implore 
that affiflance for itfelf which it offered to the unfor- 
ttkiate. Thefe men, who had efcaped from the rod 
of tyranny, in croiBng the Teas, abandoned all hopes 
of. return, and attached themfelves for ever to a 
country which at the fame time afforded them an 
afylum and an eafy quiet fubdflence. Their good 
fortune could not remain for ever unknown. Mul- 
titudes flocked from diSerent parts to partake of it. 
Nor has this eagernefs abated, particularly in Ger« 
inany„ where nature produces men for the purpofes 
either of conquering or cultivating the earth. It will 
even increafe. The advantage granted to emigrants 
throughout the Britifh dominions of being naturaliz- 
ed by a reiidence of feven years in the colonies, fuffi* 
dently warrants this prediAioo. 

While tyranny and perfecution were, dcftroying 
population in Europe, Britifh America was beginning 
to be peopled with three forts of inhabitants. The 
firft clafs confifls of freemen* It is the mod: numer« 
cms \ but hitherto it has vifibly degenerated. The 
Creoles in general^ though habkuav&d \a >3ck& OCxt^-^vt; 



W6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

-from their cradle, are not fo robuft and fit ferlab* 

' our, Dor fo powerful in war, as the Europeans i 

whether it be that they have not the improvements 

of education, or that they are foftened by nature. 

- In that foreign clime the mind is enervated as well ai 

• the body : endued with a quicknefs and early pene« 
tration, it ealily apprehends, but wants deadiuefs, 
and is not uied to continued thought* It muft be a 
matter of aflonifhment to find that America has not 

•yet produced a good poet, an able mathematician, or 
a man of genius in any fingle art or icience. They 

< poflefs in general a readinefs for acquiring the know- 
ledge of every art or fcience, but not one of them 

' %ews any decisive talent for one in particular. More 
early advanced at fir (I, and arriving at a fkate of ma- 
turity fooner than we do, they are much behind us 
in the later part of life. 

Perhaps it will be faid, that their population is not 

' very numerous in comparifon with that of all Europe 

•together; that they want aids, mafters, models, in- 

• Aruments, emulation in the arts and fciences ; that 
' education with them is too much neglected, or too 

little improved* But we may obferve, that inpro- 

• portion we fee more perfons in America of good 
birth, of an eafy competent fortune, with a greater 
£[iare of lei Pure and of other means of improving their 
natural abilities, than are found in Europe, where 

- even the very method of training up youth Is ofteo 
" repugnant to the progrefs and unfolding of reafoQ 

and genius. Is it pofiSible, that although the Creolei 
educated with us have every one of them good feofe, . 
or at lead the moft part of them, yet not one (houU 
have arifen to any great degree of perfeAion in the 
Highteil purfuit ; and that among roch as have ftaid 
'in their own country no one has diitinguiflied himfelf 
hy a confirmed iuperiority in thttfe taknu which ktA 

10 . 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA^ 2%r , 

to hma ? Hat nature, then, ponifhed them for hav- : 
ing crofied the ocean ? Are they a race of people de» . 
generated by tranfplaoting, by growth, and by noix* 
ture f Will not time be able to reduce them to the • 
nature of their climate ? Let us beware of pronoun* 
cing on futurityi before we have the experience of .- 
fcveral centuries* Let us wait till a more ample burft • 
of light has ihone over the new hemifphere. Let ut , 
wait till education may have corrected the unfur* 
mountable tendency of the climate towards the enen- i 
mating pleafures of luxury and ienfuality. Perhaps 
VC ihali then fee that America is propitious to genius . 
and the arts* that give birth to peace and fociety. A i 
sew Olympus, an Arcadia, an Athens, a new Greece^ / 
will produce, perhaps^ on the continent, or ia the 
Archipelago that fuiTOunds it, another Homer, a 
Theocritus, and efpecially an Anacreon. Perhaps 
another Newton is to arife in New Britain. From ^ 
Britifh America, without doubt, will proceed the jGrit 
rays of the fciences, if they are at length to break » 
through a iky fo long time clouded. By a fingular 
contraft with the old world, in which the arts have . 
travelled from the fouth towards the north, in the 
new one the north will be found to enlighten the 
fouthern parts. Let the Bxitiib clear the ground, 
purify the air, alter the climate, improve nature, and 
a new univerfe will arife out of their hands for the 
glory and happinefs of hiunanity. But it is neceilarf; 
tbat they (hould take deps conformable to this noble 
deiign, and aim by juf^ and laudable means ro form 
a population fit for the creation of a new world. This' 
is what they have not yet done. 

The fecond clafs of their colonifls was formerly, 
compofed of malefadlors which the mother country 
transported after condemnation to America, and who 
were bound to a fervitude of fevcn or fourteen yeara 



atS HBTORT OF THE BRITISH ' 

to the planters who had purcbafed them out of the * 
hands of ju(iice. The dilguft is grown vniverfal a* 
gainlt theie corrupt mea^ alwayi difpofed to commit 
f refh crimes. 

Thefe have been repbced by indigent perfonsi 
whom the impoffibility of fubfifting in Europe has 
driven into the new world. Having embarked with- 
out being capable of paying for their pafiage, thefe 
wretches are at the difpofal of their captain^ who fcllf 
them to whom he pleafes. 

This fort of flavery is for a longer or (borter time; 
but it can never exceed eight years. If among thefe 
emigrants there are any who are not of age, their fer- 
^itude lafts till they arrive at that period, which is 
fixed at twenty one for the boys, and eighteen for the 
girls. 

None of thofe who are contracted for have a right 
to marry without the , approbation of their mafter, 
who fets what price he chufes on his confent. If any 
of them runs away, and he is retaken, he is to ferve a 
week for each day's abfence, a month for every week 
and fix months tor one. The proprietor who does 
not think proper to receive again one who has defert« 
ed from hi$ fervice, may fell him to whom he pleafes, 
but only for the term of his firft contraA. Befides 
meither the fervice dor the fale, carry any ignominy 
with it. At the end of his fervitude, the contra^ed 
perfon enjoys all the rights of a free denizen. With 
his freedom he receives from the mafter whom he has 
ferved, either implements for hufbandry, or utenfils 
proper for bis work 

hut with whatever appearance of juftice this fpecies 
of tratSc may be coloured, the greateft part of the 
{Grangers who go over to America under thefe coo- 
dicions, would never fet their foot on board a (hip, if 
$bcy .weK not inveigled away. Some artful kidnap- 
pers 



SETTLEMiENT^S IN AMERICA, 189 

pcrs from the fens of Holland fpread themfelves over 
the Palatinate, buabia, and the cantons of Germany 
which are the beft peopled or leaft happy. There 
they fet forth with raptures the delights of the newr 
world, and the fortunes eafily acquired in that country/ 
The fimple men, fediiced by thefe magnificent pro- 
miles, blindly follow thefe infamous brokers engaged 
in this feandalous commerce, who deliver them over 
to factors at Amfterdam or Rotterdam* Thefe, either 
in pay with the Britilh government, or with compa« 
nies who have undertaken to (lock the colonies with 
people, give a gratuity to the men employed in this 
fervice. Whole families are fold, without their know- 
ledge, to made rs at a diftance, who impofe the hard- 
er conditions upon them, as hungc:r and neceffity do 
not permit the fufFerers to give a refufal. The Britifh 
form their fupplies of men for hufb^ndry as princes 
do for war ; for a purpofe more ufeful and more hu- 
mane, but by the fame artifices. The deception is 
perpetually carried on in Europe, by the atttentioa 
paid to the fuppreffing of all correfpondence with 
America, which might unveil a myftery of impofhire 
and iniquity too well difguifed by the iotereded pria« 
ciples which gave rife to it. 

But, in (hort, there would not be fo many dupes, if 
there werje fewer vidlims. It is the oppreffion of go-: 
verument which make thefe chimerical ideas of for- 
tune be adopted by" the credulity of the people. Men 
unfortunate in their private affairs, vagabonds, or con^* 
temptibie at home,' having nothing worfe to fear In a 
foreign climate, eafily give themfelves up to the hope 
of a better lot The means ufed to attain them in a 
country where chance has given him birth, are fit only 
to excite in them a defire to quit it. It is imagined 
that they are to be under the con dan t refiraint of pro- 
hibitions, menaces^ and puniOiments : thefe do but 

Vot. IL Cc w- 



2^ HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

cxafperate them, and drive them to defertion bj the 
very foibiddance of it. rhey (hould be att<tched by 
Toothing means ; by fair expeAations i whereas they 
arc imprifooedi and bound: man. born free^ is re- 
strained from attempting to exift in regions where 
haaven and earth ofier him an aiylum. It has been 
thought better to Hifle him in his cradle than to let 
him (ctk for his living in fome climate that is ready to 
give him fuccour* It is not judged proper even to 
leave him the choice of his .burial-place. — Tyrants in 
policy I thefe are the cSe£ts of your laws ! People, 
where then are your rights ? 

Is it then become neceflary to lay open to the nati- 
on the fchemes that are formed againli their liberty ? 
'Mud they be told, that, by a coni^iracy of the moft 
odious nature, certain powers have lately entered in«* 
to an agreement, which muft deprive even defpair ic- 
felf of every refilurct ? For theic two centuries pafl, 
all the princes of iLurope have been fabricating among 
them in the fecret receiTes of the cabinet that long and 
heavy chain with which the people are encompailcd 
on every iScfe. At every negociation frc(h links were 
added to the chain fo artificially contrived. Wars ten- 
ded not to make ftatcs more extenfive, but lubjcd^s 
tnore fubmiflive, by gradually fubitituting military go- 
vernment in lieu of the mild and gentle influence of 
laws and morality. The feveral potentates have all 
fjqually flrengthcncd themftlves in their tyranny by 
their conqueds or by their lofles. When they were 
vicTlorioiis, they reigned by their armies ; when hum- 
bled by defeat, they held the command by the mifcry 
of iiieirp#filUnimousfubje^s; whether ambition made 
them competitors or advcrfarics, they entered into 
league or alliance only to aggravate the fervltude of 
the people. If ihey chofe to kindle war, or maintain 
^cace^ they were i>ire w turn to the advantage c;f 

^cir 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 291 

their authority either the raifing or debafing of their 
people, if they ceded a province, they exhaufted 
every other to recover it, in order to make aoaends 
for their lofs. If they acquired a nev7 onci the 
haughtinefs they affedted out of it, was the occafloa 
of ci uehy and extortion withia» They borrowed one 
of another by turns every art and inventioni whether 
of peace or of war, that might concur fometitnes to 
foment natural antipathy and rivalQiip, fotnetimes to 
obliterate the charaAer o'f the nations; as if there had 
been a tacit agreement among the rulers to fubje^t the 
nations, one by means of another, to the defpotifm 
they had conftantly been preparing for them. .Ye 
people who all groan more or lefs fecretly, doubt 
not of your condition ; thofe who never entertained 
any affedtion for you, are come now not to have any 
fear of you. In the extremity of in'ibtchednefs, one 
fingle^refource remained for yoii^ *^^<^f cf^^^pc and 
emigration. — Even that has been ihjutfHgainft you. 

Princes have agreed among thenfwics to rehore to 
one another not only dcferters, who for the moil parr, 
inlifted by compulfion or by fraud, have a good right 
to efcap^ } not only rogues, who in reality ought not 
to find a refuge any where ; but indifferently all their 
fubjc£ls, whatever may be the motive that obliged iheoi 
to quit their country. 

I hus all you unhappy labourers, who find neither 
fubfiftence nor work in your own countries, after they 
havfc been ravaged and rendered barren by the exa^i- 
ons of finance ; thus ye die where ye had the misfor- 
tune to be born, ye have no rcfiige but under ground. 
All ye artifts and workmen of every clafs harrafled 
by monopolifts, who arc refufed the right of workingr 
at your own free difpofal, without having purchafed 
the privileges of your calling ; ye who are kept for 
your whole life io the work-(hpp, fpr the purpoie of 



«9t HISTORY OF THE BRITISH • 

enriching a privileged factor'; ye whom a xotirt* 
mouriiing leaves for months together without bre^d 
or wages i never expeA to live out of a country where 
foldicrs and guards keep you imprifoned ; go wander 
in defpair, and die of regret- If y^ venture to groan, 
-your cries will be re- echoed and \o(i in the depth of 
a dungeon ( if ye make your elcape, ye will be pur- 
fued even beyond mountains and rii^ers : ye will be 
fent back, or given up, bound hand and foot, to tor- 
ture ; and to that eternal reflraint to which you have 
been condemned from your birth. Do you likewifci 
whom nature has endowed with a free fpirit, inde- 
pendent of prejudice and error, who dare to think 
and talk like men, do you crafe from your minds 
every idea of truth, nature, and humanity. Applaud 
• every attack made on your country and your fellow- 
cJMzens, or elfe maintain a profound filence in the 
reccfles of obfcurity and concealment. All ye who 
Avcre born in ihofc barbarous ftates, where the con- 
clition for the mutual redoration of deferters has been 
entered into by the ffveral princes, and fealed by a 
treaty ; recoiled^ the infcription Dante has engraved 
on the gate of his infernal region : F'oh ch' entrate^ 
iifciate omai ogni fperanza : ** You who enter here, 
*• may leave behind you every hope." 

What ! is there then no alylum remaining beyond 
the feas ? Will not Britain open her colonies to thofe 
wretches, who voluntarily prefer her dominion to the 
iniiipportable yoke of their own country ? What need 
has ihe of that infamous band of contracted (laves, 
Iddnapped and debauched by the fhameful means em- 
ployed by every ftatc to increafe their armies ? What 
need has (he of thofe beings Aill more miierable, of 
wlK>m (he compofes the third p4rt of her American 
population ? Yes« by an iniquity the more (hocking 
as it U apparently the lefs necefikry, her northern 

CO- 



SETTLEMENTTS in AMERICA. 293 

colonies have had recourfe to the trafBc and flavery 
of the negroes. It will not be difovrned, that they 
may be better fed^ better clothed^ kfs ill treated, and 
lefs overburdened with toil, than in the iflaods. The 
laws protect them^more effeAually, and they feldom 
become the victims of the barbarity or caprice of aa 
odious tyrant. But fiill what muft be the burden of 
a man's life who is condemned to languifh in eternal 
flavery ? Some humane fedlaries, Chriftians who look 
for virtues in the gofpel more than for opinions, have 
often been defirous of re Coring to their flaves that 
liberty for which they cannot receive any adequate 
compwfaiion ; but they have been a long time with« 
held by a law of the ftate, which direded th^t an 
alignment of a fufficiency for fubiiftence ihould be 
Biade to thofe who were fet at liberty. 

Let us rather fay, The convenient cuftom of being 
waited on by (laves ; the fondnefs we have for power^ 
which we attempt tojuilify by pretending to alleviate 
their fervitude ; the opinion fo readily entertained^ 
that they do not complain of a ftate which is by time 
changed into nature ; thefe are the fophifms of felf^ 
love, calculated to appeafe the clamoui*s of confcience. 
The generality of mankind are not born with evil dif-* 
pofitions, or prone to do ill by choice ; but even a- 
mong thofe whom nature feems to have formed juft 
and good, there are but few who poilefs a foul fu^- 
ciently difintereAed, courageous, and great, to do 
any good action, if they muft facrifice fome advan- 
tage for it. 

But ftill the quakers havejuft fet an examj^ which 
ought to make an epocha in the hi(h>ry of religion 
and humanity. In one of thefe ailemblies, where 
every one of the faithful, who conceives himfelf 
moved by the impulfe of the holy Spirit, has a right 
of fpcakingi one of the brethren^ who was htm fd if 



t94 HISTORY OP THE BRITISH 

vodoubfcdly infpircd on this occafion, trofe aod faid : 
How long then ihall we have two confciences, two 
mcafuret, two fcalcs; one in our own favour, one 
for the ruin of our neighbour, both equally hlki 
Is it for us, brethren, co complain at this moment, 
that the parliament of Britain wiflies to enflave us, 
and to impoie upon us the yoke of fubjcdts, with- 
out leaving us the rights of citizens ; while for this 
century pa(l, we have been calmly a£ling the ptrt 
of tyrants, t^ keeping in bonds of the harde(^ fli- 
vei y men who are our equals and our btxthren i 
What have thofe unhappy creatures done to us, 
whom nature hath feparated from us by barriers 
fo formidable, whom our avarice has fought after 
thro' fiorms and wrecks, and brought awaj from 
the midfl of their burning fands, or from their 
dark forefts inhabited by tygers ? W hat crime have 
they been guilty of, that they fhould be torn from 
a country which fed them without toil, and that 
they ibould be tranfplanted by us to a land where 
they perifli under the labours of fervitudc ? Father 
of heaven, what family hail Thou then created, in 
which the elder born, after having feized on the 
property of their brethren, are (till refolved to 
compel them, with ilripes, to manure with the 
blood of their veins and the fweat of their brow 
that very inheritance of which they have been 
robbed i Deplorable race ! whom we render brutes, 
to tyrannize over them ; in whom we extinguish 
every power of the foul, to load their limbs and 
their bodies with burdens ; in whom we efi:*ace the 
image of God, and the ilamp oH manhood : a race 
mutilated and difhonouied as to the faculties of 
mind and body, throughout its existence, by us 
who are Chriftians and Britons I Britons, ye peo 
pic favoured by Heaven, and refpe&ed on the feat, 

^« would 



SETTLEAIENTS IN AMEBTGA^ tpf 

*' would ye be free and tyrants at the fame inftant ? 
** No, brethren : it is time we (hould be condiment 
•* with ourfelvcs Lc^ us fct free thofe mifepabic 
^ vidim's of our^pride : let us re (lore the negroes t6 
<^ liberty, which man (hould never take from man. 
•* May all Chridian focieties be induced by our ex- 
<< ample to repair an ihjuUice authorifed by the crimed 
<< and plunders of two centuries \ May men too long 
^* degraded, at length raife to Heaven their arms 
^< fi-ced from ch.iins, and their eyes bathed in te^rs 
^^ of gratitude I Alas ! the unhappy mortals have ht* 
*< therto (hed no tears but thofe of dcfpair V* 

This difcourfe awakened remorfe, and the flaves la 
Penfylvania were fet at liberty. A revolution fo a«- 
mazing mud neceiTarily have been the work of a peo- 
pie inclined to toleration. Jiut let us not expeA fimi-> 
liar inftances of heroifm in thofe countries which are 
us deep funk in barbarifm by the vices attendant on 
luxury, as they have formerly been from ignorance. 
When a government, at once both prieflly and mili* 
tary, has brought every thing, even the opinions of 
men, under its yoke ; when man, become an impodor, 
has perfuaded the armed multitude that he holds from 
Heaven the right of opprefQng the earth ; there is no 
ft ado w of liberty left for civilized nations : Why 
ihould they not take their revenge on the favage pea* 
pie of the torrid zone? 



X Pr^ 



Z96 BISTORT OF THE BRITISH 



Pnfentfimtt tf PopuUtim in the British Pr9vmee$ 

^ North Aicb&ica. 

NOT to mendoo the population of the negroes^ 
which may amouat to 300^000 flavcs, in 17^0 
t tnillion of inhabiuntt were reckoned in Ac Bridik 
provinces of North America. There muft be now up* 
wards of two millions $ and it is proved by undeniable 
calculations, that the number of people doubles every 
J 5 or 16 years in fome of thofe provinces, and every 
I H or 20 in others. So rapid an increafe muft have 
two fources. The firft is that number of Irifhmen^ 
Jews, Frenchmen, Switzcrs, Palatines, Moravians, 
and Saltzburghers* who after having been worn out 
urith the political and religious troubles they had ex- 
perienced in Europe, have gone in fearch of peace 
and quietnefs in difVant climates. The fecond fourceof 
that amazing increafe. is from the climate itfelf of the 
colonies, where experience has fhewn that the people 
naturally doubled their numbers every five and twenty 
years. Mr Franklin's remarks will make thefe trutltt 
evident. 

The numbers of the people, fays that philofopher, 
increafe every where in proportion to the number ol 
marriages*, and that number increafes as the means of 
iubiifling a family are rendered more eafy. In a coui^ 
try where the means of fubiidence abound, more peo- 
ple marry early. In a focicty, whofe profpertty is a 
ninrk of its antiquity, the rich, alarmed at the expell- 
ees which female luxury brings along with k, are as 
late as pofUblein forming an el^ablifhment, which it is 
difficult to fix, and whofe maintenance is cofily ; and 
the perfons who have no fortunes pais their days in a 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 197 

celibacy which difturbi the married (late. The maf- 
ters have but few children, the fcrvants have none 
at all, and the artificers are afraid of having any. 
This irregularity is fo perceptible, cfpecially in great 
towns, that families are not kept up fufficiently to 
maintain population in an even Oate, and that we con- 
ftantly find there more deaths than births. Happily for 
us, that decay has not yet penetrated into the country, 
where the conilant practice of making up the deficient 
cy of the towns gives a little more fcope for populati* 
on. But the lands being every where occupied, and let 
at the higbefl rate, thofe wko cannot arrive at proper* 
ty of their own, are hired by thofe who have proper* 
ty. Kivaldiip, owing to the multitude of workmen, 
lowers the price of labour ; and thefmallncfs of their 
profits takes away the deiire and the hope, as well as 
the abilities requiiite for increafe by marriage. Such 
is the prefent ftate of Europe. 

That of America prefents an appearance of a quit< 
contrary nature. TraAs of land, waile and uacultH 
vated, are to be had, either for nothing ; or fo cheapi 
that a man of. the leaH: turn for labour, is furnifhed 
in a (hort time with an extent, which, while it is fuf* 
ficieot to rear, a numerous family, will maintain hi$ 
polleriry for a confiderable time. The inhabitantSj 
therefore, of the new world, induced likcwifc by the 
climate, marry in greater numbers, Jind at an earliep 
time of life, than the inhabitants of Europe. Where 
one hundred enter ip the married Hate in Europe, 
there ar« two hundred in America ; and if we reckon, 
four children to each marriage in our climates, we 
ihould allow, at lead, eight in the new hemifpherei 
If we multiply thefe families by their produce, it will 
appear that in lefs than two centuries the Britiih nor« 
thern colonies will arrive at an immenfe degree of po* 
pulation, unlefs the mother country coQtrive^fqme ob» 
ilacles to impede its natural progtcGu '^^ 



apS HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

XL 

Happinefs tftbi Inhahttants in th British Coknies 

q^ North America- 

THEY are now peopled with healthy and robuft 
men, of aft atu re above the common iize. Thefe 
Cieolex are more quick, and come to their full growth 
fooner than fhe Europeans : but they are not fo long- 
lived. J he low price of meat, fi(h, grain, game, fruitSj 
cyder, vegetables, keeps the inhabitants in a great 
plenty of things merely for nourilhment. It is necef- 
f<iry to be more careful with refpe^ to clothing, which 
is iWW vtfj dear, whether brought from Europe, or 
made in the country. Manners are in the (late they 
fhould be among young colonies, and people given to 
cuhivatioii, not yet poUlhed nor corrupted by the re« 
fort of great cities. Throughout the families in gen- 
eral, their reigns oeconomy, neatnefs, and regularity. 
Gallantry and gaming, the paflions of eafy wealth, fel- 
flom break in upon that happy tranquillity. The fcx 
are dill what they (hould be, geptle, modeft, com* 
paflionate, and ufeful ; they are in-pofeffion of thofe 
virtues which continue the empire of their charms. 
The men ace employed in their original duties, the 
care and improvement of their plantations, which will 
be the fupport of their ppftcrity. The general fenti* 
ment of benevolence unites every family* Nothing con- 
tributes to this union To much as a certain equality of 
ftation, a fecurity that aril'es from property, a general 
hope which every mkn has of increafing it, and the 
facility of fucceeding in this expectation ; in a word, 
nothing contributes to it fo much as the reciprocal in* 
dependence in which men all live, with refped to thetr 
irancsj joined to the ncceifity of fecial coone£Uons fot 

the 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 391^ 

the purpofes of their pleafures. Inftead of luxury^ 
which brings mifery in its train, indead of that affl:£fc- 
ing and (hocking contrail, an univerfal welfare, wife* 
ly dealt out in the original diftribution of the lands^ 
has by the influence of induftry given rife in every 
bread to the defire of pleafing one another ; a defire 
without doubt, more facisfadlory than the (ecret di(^ 
pofition 10 injure our brethren, which is infeprable 
from an extreme inequality of fortune and condition. 
Men never meet without fatisfaAion when they are 
neither in the fiate of mutual diflance which leads to 
indifference, nor in that way of rivaifhip which bor- 
ders on hatred. They <:ome nearer together, and col* 
\e£t in focieties. In ihort, it is in the colonies that men 
lead fuch a country-life a^ was the original dellina- 
tion of mankind, beft fuited to the health and increafe 
of the fpecies : probably they enjoy all the happinefs 
confiftent with the frailty of human nature. We do 
not, indeed, find there thofe graces, thofe talents, 
thofe refined enjoyments, the means and expence of 
which wear out and fatigue the fprings of the foul, 
and bring on the vapours of melancholy which fo na* 
turally follow an indulgence in ardent pleafure : but 
there are the pleafures of domeftic life i the mutual 
attachments of parent and children ; and conjugal 
love, that paflion fo pure and fo delicious to the foul 
that can taAe it and defpife all other gratifications. This 
is the enchanting profpeA exhibited throughout North 
America. It is in the wilds of Florida and Virginia, 
even in the foreOs of Canada, that men are enabled 
to continue to love their whole life long, what was 
the obje^ of their fird affe6lion, innocence and virtuCi 
which never entirely lofe their beauty. 

If any thing be wanting in Britiih America, it is its 
not forming precifely one people. Families are there 
found fometimes rc-uniied| lometimcs difperfed, ori* 



! 



300 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

ginaitng from all the different countries of Europe, 
^bcie colontilsi in wliatever fpot cliance or difcern- 
mcnt may have placed them^ all prefervey with a pre- 
judice not to be worn out, their mother tongue, the 
partialities and the cuftoms of their own country. 
bepaiate fchools and churches hinder them from mix- 
ing wiih the hofpicable people, who hold out to them 
a pl^ce of refuge. 8 till eftranged from this people by 
wor(hip, by manners, and probably bj their feelings, 
they harbour feeds of dinention that may one day 
prove the ruin and total overthrow of the colonies. 
The only prefervative againft this difafter depends en- 
tirely on the management of the ruling powers. 

XII. 

M^iat kind of Government is eftahiijhei in the BbitisH 
Coioniej oj North America. 

BY ruling powers muft not be underftood thofc 
ilrangc conAitutions of Europe, vtrhich area rude 
mixture of facred and profane laws. BritiQi America 
Was wife or happy enough not to admit any eccleiiaf- 
tical power ; being from the beginning inhabired by 
Prelbyteiians, ihe rejcfted with horror every thing 
that might revive the idea of it. All affairs that in 
the other parts of the globe depend on the tribunal of 
priefts, are here brought before the civil magiftratc 
or the national aflbmblics. The attcmps made by 
thofe of the tngliOi church to eftabliOi their hierar- 
chy in that country, have ever been abortive, notwith- 
flanding ihe fupport given by the mother country : 
^ut 111 I they have their ihare in the adminiftration of 
bufineis as well as thofc of other fcas. None but ca- 

in^ thn^if^'^ ^u'"" "^^5'"^^^. on account of their refuft 
ing ttio(e oaths which the public tran^juUity feeiBea 

L IP 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 309 

to require. In this view American government has 
ieferved great commendation ; but in other refpeAs^ 
it is not lo well combined. 

Policy, in its aim and principal objeA, refembles tho 
education of children. They both tend to form men, 
and fhouid be limilar to each other in many refpc^ls. 
■lavage people, firll united in Society, require, as much 
as children, to be fbmetimes led on by gentle means, 
and fometimes reilrained by compuliion. For wane 
of experience, which alone forms our reafon, as the/ 
are incapable of governing themfelves throughout the 
changes of things and the various concerns that belong 
Co a riling lociery, government fhouid be enlightened 
with regard to them, and guHe them by authority to 
years ot maturity. JuA fo barbarous nations are un« 
der the rod, and as it were in the leading (Irings of 
dcipotilm, till in the advance of iociety their intreils 
teach them to condu^ themfelves 

Civilized nations, like young men, more orlefi ad« 
▼anced not in proportion to their abii.tie**, but frooi 
the cQndu6l of their early education, as foon as they 
come to their own (Irength, and their own pretenfi- 
ons, require being managed and even refpeAed by 
their governors. A fon well educated fhouid engage 
in no undertaking without confulting his father; a 
prince, on the contrary, fhouid make no regulations 
without confulting his people. Further, the fon, ia 
refolutions where he follows the advice of his father^ 
frequently hazards nothing but his own happinefs; 
in all that a prince ordains, the happinefs of his peo« 
pie is concerned. The opinion of the public, in a na- 
tion that thinks and fpeaks» is the rule of the govern* 
meat } and the prince fhouid never (hock that opini« 
on without public reafons, nor flrive againft it without 
conviAion. Government is to model a!l its forms 
according to that opinion : opiniooi it is well kno«vn» 
VoImU. D4 



|os BISTORT OF THE BRITISH 

irariet wtth maniienf babiu, and mformadon. So 
dut one prince maji wiiboot fiodiBg the Icaft refift- 
snce« do ao aA of authority, not to be rcTived bj bit 
{ucccSbr witboot exciting the public indignauon. 
From fvhence does this difference arife ? The prede* 
ceflbr canooc have fliockcd an opi' ion that was not 
fprung up in his time, while a fucceeding prince may 
ba^e openly counteracted it a century later* The firft 
it I may be allowed the expreffion, without the know* 
leHge o^ the public, may have taken a dep whofe vio- 
lence he may have foftened or made amends for by 
the happy iucceft of his government ; the other (haU 
perhaps, have increafed the public calamities by fuch 
unjuft aAs of wilful authority as may perpetuate iis 
fini abufcs. Public remonitrance is generally the cry 
of opinion ; and the general opinion is the rule of go« 
Tcrnment i and brcaufe public opinion governs man- 
kind, kings for this reafon became rulers of men. 
Governments then, as well as opinions, ought to im- 
prove and advance to perftdion. But what is the 
rule for opinions among an enlightened people? It 
is the permanent inrereft of fociety, the fafety and 
advantage of the nation. This inteieA is modified by 
the turn of events and fituations ; public opinion and 
the form of the government follow theie feveral mo- 
difications. 1 his is the fource of all the forms of go^ 
Ternmcntieftabliflied by the Englifh, who are rational 
and free, thi oughout North America* 

The government of Nova hcotia, of one of the 

?rovinccs in New England, New York new Jerfcy, 
'irginia, the t^o Carolinas, and Georgia, is i^ylcd 
foynif becaufe the king of England is there vcftcd with 
fhc fuprcmc authority, Reprefcntaiivcs of the peoplel 
foim a lower hcpfe, as in the mother country ; a le-*" 
Jt/^" council, appioved by the king, intended tofupport 
ibc |>rerogativcs of the crqwn^ reprcfepts the houfe of 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 303 

peers, and maintains that repreientation by the for* 
tune and rank of the mof): didinguifhed perfons in 
the country, who are members of it. A* governor 
convenes, prorogues, and diflblves their afiemblies | 
gives or refufes ailent to their deliberations, which re«i 
ceive from his approbation the force of law, till the 
king, to whom they are tranfmitted, has rejeAed 
them. 

The fecond kind of government which takes place 
in the colonies, is known by the nanie of proprietary 
government. When the iinglilh firft fettled in thoic 
didant regions, a greedy, aAive court favourite eafily 
obtained in thofe wailes, which were as large as kii3g-> 
doms, a property and authority without bounds. A 
bow and a few ikins, the only homage exadted by the 
crown, purchafed for a man in power the right of 
fovereignty, or governing as he pleafed^ in an un- 
known country: fuch was the origin of government 
in the greater part of the colonies. At prefent Mary- 
land and Peniylvania are the only provinces under 
this fingular form of government, or rather this irre- 
gular foundation of fovereignty. Maryland, indeed^ 
differs from the reft of the provinces only by receiv- 
ing its governor from the family of Baltimore, whofe 
nomination is to be approved by the king. In Pen-» 
fylvania. the governor named by the proprietary fa- 
milyj and confirmed by the crown, is not fupported 
by a council which gives a kind of fuperiority ; and he 
is obliged to agree with the commons, in whom is na« 
turally veftcd all authority. 

A third form, ftylcd by the Englifh, charier go^ 
vernmenty feems more calculated to aduce harmony 
in the conftitution. After having been that of all the 
provinces of New England, it now fubfitls only in 
Connecticut and in Rhode ifland. It may be confider* 
cd as a mere democracy. The inhabiuntsof them- 



1^4 HISTORY OF THE BRITISM 

felvts cleft, depofeall their officers^ and make all lawi 
ihcj thiok proper, isithout being obliged to have 
the aileot of the kingi or his having any right to annul 
them. 

At length the cooqueft of Canada, joined to the ac- 
^uifition of Florida, hat given rife to a form ot legif- 
lation hitherto unknown throughout the rtalm of 
Great Biit<un« Thofe provinces have been put or left 
under the yoke of military, ard confequently a^ioiute 
authority. Without any right to aiT-fiible in a Daci< 
onal body, they receive immediately from ihe court of 
London every motion of government. 

This diveifity of governments is not the work of 
the mother country. We do not find the traces of a 
seafonable, uniform, and regular legiflation. It is i 
chance, climate, the prejudices of the times and of the 
founders of the colonies, that have produced this 
motley variety of conOitutions. It is not for men, 
^ho are cafl by chance upon a defert coail^ to conili- 
tute a legiflation. 

All legiflation, in its nature, (hould aim at the 
happinefs of fociety. The means by which it is to 
attain that Angular elevated point, depend entirely on 
its natural qualities. Climate, that is to fay, the flty 
and the foil, are the firft rule for the legiflator. His 
refources diAate to him his duties. In the firfl in- 
ilance, the local pofition fliould be confulted* A 
number of people thrown on a maritime coafl, will 
have laws more or lefs relative to agriculture or navi- 
gation, in proportion to the influence the fea or land 
may have on the fubfiflence of the inhabitants who 
are to people that defart coafl. If the new colony is 
led by the courfe of fome large river far within land, 
a legiflator ought to have regard to their race, and 
the degree of their fecundity, and the connections the 

CO- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 305 

colony will have either within or without by the traffic 
of commodities moft advantageous to its profperity. 

But it is efpecially in the diftributton of property 
that the wifdom of legiflation will appear. In gene- 
rail and throughout all the countries in the worlds 
when a colony is founded, land is to be given to every 
perfon, that is to fay, to every one an extent fufficienc 
for the maintenance of a family : more ihould be gvvea 
to thofe who have abilities to make the neceflary ad- 
vances for improvement : foqie (hould be kept vacant 
for pofterity, or for additional fettlers, with which the^ 
colony may in time be augmented. 

The firft objedt of a riling colony is fubiKteoceand 
population : the next is the profperity likely to flow 
from thefe two fources. To avoid occaiions of war» 
whether offenfive or defenfive ; to turn indu(lry to» 
wards thofe obje<^s which produce moft ; not to form 
connefVions around them, except fuch as are unavoid- 
able, and may be proportioned to the ftability which 
the colony acquires by the number of Its inhabitants 
and the nature of its refources ; to introduce, above 
all things, a partial and local fpirit in a nation which 
is going to be eUabUihed, a fpirit of union within^ 
and of peace without; to refer every inftitution to a 
di()ant but lading point ; and to make every occad- 
onal law fubfervient to the fettled regulation, which 
alone is to effe^ an increafe of numbers, and to give 
Aability to the fettlement; thefe circumftances make 
no more than a iketch of a legiflation. 

The moral fyftem is to be formed on the nature of 
the climate. A large field for population is at firft ta 
be laid open by facilitating marriage, which depends 
upon the facility of procuring fubfiftence. Sandbity 
of manners ihould be eilabliihed by opinion. In a 
barbarous ifland, which is to be ftocked with child* 
ren^ no more would be neceflarj thao to leave the 

Dd3 ^s!^ 



|o6 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

firft dawnings of truth to enlarge themfelves, as ret* 
foQ unfolds itfelf. With proper precautions againft 
idle fears proceeding from ignorance, the errors of 
itiperftition fliould be removed, till that period when 
the warmth of the natural paffions, fortunately unit* 
ing with the rational powers, diffipates every phantom. 
But when people, already advanced in life, are to be 
eftablifhed in a new country, the ability of legiflation 
confifts in not leaving behind any injurious opinions 
or habits, which may be cured or corrc^led. If we 
xritti that they fhould not be tranfmitted to poflerity, 
we fhould watch over the fecond generation by a ge- 
jderal and public education of the children. A prince 
cr legiilator fhould never found a colony, wirhout 
previouily fending thither feme proper peiTons for 
the education of youth ; that is, fome governors ra- 
ther than teachers : for it is of lefs moment to teach 
them what is good, than to guard them from evii. 
Crood education arrives too late, when the people are 
already corrupted. The feeds of morality and virtue, 
lown in the infancy of a race already corrupted, are 
annihilatedi in the early fiages of manhood, by de* 
baucbery, and the contagion of fuch vices as have al- 
ready become habitual in ibcitty. The heft educated 
young men cannot come into the world without mak- 
ing engagements and contratSling acquaintance, on 
which the remainder of their lives depends. If they 
marry, follow any proftflion or puriuit, thty find the 
Iccds of evil and corruption rooted in every conditi- 
on : a conduft entirely oppofite to their principles, 
example, and difcourle, which difconceris aiid com- 
bats their beft refolutions. 

But, in a riCng colony, the infinerce of the firft ge- 
neration may be correfted by the manners of the luc- 
ceeding. The minds of all are prepared for virtue by 
bbour* The ucc^Sluc^ of life remove all vices proceed- 
ing 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 307 

ihg from leifure. The overflowing of fuch popuktU 
00 have a natural tendency towards the mother coun« 
uy, where luxury continually invites and feduces the 
rich and voluptuous planter. All means are open to 
the precautions of a legiflator, who intends to refine 
the conftitntion and manners of the colony. Let them 
but have genius and virtue, the lands and the people 
he has to manage will fuggeft to his mind a plan of 
fociety, that a writer can only mark out in a vague 
manner, liable to all the uncertainty of hypothefef 
that are varied and complicated by an infinity of cir«^ 
cumftances too difficult to be forefeen and put toge« 
ther. 

But the firft foundation of a fociety for cultivation 
or commerce is property. It is the feed of good and 
•evil, natural or moral, confequent on the focial (late. 
Every nation feems to be divided into two irreconcile- 
able parties. The rich and the poor, the men of 
property and the hirelings, that is to fay, mailers and 
ilaves, from two clafi^es of citizens, unforturnately ia 
oppofition with one another. 

In vain have fome modern authors wiflied by fop- 
hillry to eftablifh a treaty of peace between tbefe twa 
f^ates. The rich on ail occasions are difpofed to get 
a great deal from the poor at little expence ; and the 
poor are ever inclined to fet a higher value on their 
labour : while the rich man mud always give the law 
in that too unequal bargain. Hence arifcs the fyftem 
of counterpoirc edablifhed in fb many countries. The 
people have not defired to attack property which thty 
conlidered as facred ; but they have made attempts 
to fetter it, and to cheek its natural tendency to ab- 
iorb the whole. Thefe counterpoifes have aimofl al- 
ways been ill applied, as they were but a feeble reme- 
dy againft the original evil in fociety. It is then to the 
repartition of laiids that a le^iflator will turn his prin- 



3o« HISTORY OF THE BRITISR ' 

cipal attentioa. The more wiielf that diftributioii 
ihall be managed, the more fimple, nofform» and 
precife, will be thofe laws of the coantrj which prin* 
cip^l'y conduce to the prefervation of property. 

The Briti(h colonies partake, In that refpeft, of the 
radical vice inherent in the ancient conftitution of the 
mother country. As its prefent government is but a 
reformation of that feudal government which had op« 
prcfied all Europe, it dill retains many ufages, wbich^ 
being originally but abufes of fervitude, are flili more 
feniible by their contrafl with the liberty which the 
people have recovered* It has, therefore, been found 
ncceflary to join the laws which left many rights to 
the nobility, to thofe which modify, lefleo) abrogate^ 
or foften, the feudal rights. Hence fo many laws of 
exception for one of the principle ; fo many of inter- 
pretation for one fundamental \ fo many new laws 
that are at variance with the old. So that it is agreed 
there is not in the whole world a code fo diffufe, fo 
perplexed, as that of the civil law of Great Britain. 
The wifcft men of the enlightened nation have often 
exclaimed again fl this diforder. They have either not 
been heard, or the changes which have been produc- 
ed by their reoionftranccs have only fcrvcd to increafe 
the confufion. 

By their dependence and their ignorance, the co- 
lonies have blindly adopted that deformed and ilUdi- 
geded mafs whole burden opprefled their anceOors : 
they have added to that obfcure heap of materials by 
every new law that the times, manners, and {>lace, 
could introduce. From this mixture has refulted a 
chaos the moil difficult to unfold ; a colleflion of 
contradidions that require much pains to reconcile. 
Immediately there fprang upa numerous body of lawy- 
ers to devour the lands and inhabitants of thofe new- 

fettlcd climates. Tht Costuae and influence they have 

ac« 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 309 

icqtiired in a ftmrt liirc, have broucht into fubi«-dtion • 
to their rapaciouinefs the valuable ciafsof cirizcds em- 
ployed in agriculture, commerce, in all the arts and 
toils moft indirpcnfably ncctflary for all iociety, bw.t 
«1mo[^ iingularly efllntial to a riilng community, io 
the fcvcre evil of chicane, which has attached irfelf to 
the branches in order to feizeon the fruir, has Inccecd- 
ed the fcourge of finance, which preys on the heart 
and root of the tree. 

XIII. 

The C^in current in the British Colonies in North 

America. 

IN the origin of the colonies, the coin bore the fame 
va^ue as in the mo her country. The fcarciry of 
it foon occaiioned a riie of one third. That incon- 
venience was not remedied by the abundance of fpeci^ 
which came from the Spanilh colonies ; becaufe they 
"fittt obliged to tranfmit that into England in order tp 
|>ay for the merchandile they wanted from thence 
.This was a gulph that fucked up the circulation in the 
colonies. Ihe confuiion occaiioned by this continual 
export furnifhcd a pretence for theemployrog of pa- 
per-money. 

Tbefe are two forts of it- The ftid has in view th^ 
encouragement of agriculture trade, and induOry* 
Every colonift who has more ambition than means* 
obtains from the province a paper credit, provided 
he confents to pay an intered of 5 per- cent, furniihes 
a fufficient mortage, and agrees to repay every year a 
tenth of the capital borrowed By means of this marky 
which is received without difpute into the public trea^ 
fury, and which their fellow- citizens eannot refufe^ 
the bufinefs of private perfons becomes more briik an4 



3IO HISTORY OP THE BRITISH 

cafy. The gOTcmment Itfclf draws confiderable iei(!b 
vantages from thb circulation ; btcaufe as it receives 
intered and pays none, it can without the aid of taxes 
apply this fund to the important objects of public uti* 
Jiiy 

But there is another fort of paper, whofe exiftence 
is folely owing to the neceffitics of government, ihe 
feveral provinces of America had formed proje^ and 
contracted engagements beyond their abilities. They 
thought to make good the deficiency of their money 
by credit. Taxes were impofed to liquidate thofe bills 
that prefled for payment ; but before the taxes had 
produced that falutary effc6l, new wants came on, 
that required frefh loans. The debts» therefore, ac- 
cumclated, and the taxes were not fufficient to anfwer 
them. At length, the amount of the government bills 
exceeded ail bounds after the late hoftilin'esy during 
which the colonies had raifed and provided for 2s»coo' 
men, and contributed to all the expences of fo long 
and obflinate a war. The paper thus Tank into the 
utmolt difrepute, though it had been introduced on- 
ly by the confent of the feveral general aflemblies, and 
that each province was to be anfwerable for what was 
of their own creation. 

The parliament of Great Britain obferved this con- 
fufion, and attempted to remedy it. They regulated 
the quantity of paper circulation each colony (hould 
create for the future; and, as far as their informati- 
on went, proportioned the mafs of it to their riches 
and refources. This regulation difpleafed all perfonS| 
and in the year 1769 it was foftened. 

Paper, of the ufual figure of the coin, ftill cont(« 
nues to pafs in all kinds of bufinefs. Each piece is 
compofed of two round leaves, glued one on the o- 
ther, and bearing on each fide the (lamp that dlding- 
mlhcs them. There are fome of every value. Each 

pro- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 311 

province has a public building for the making o£ 
themi and private houfes from whence they are dif^ 
tributed: the pieces, which are much worn or foiled, 
are carried to thefe houfes, and frcfli ones received iq 
exchange. There never has been an inftance of the 
officers employed in theie exchanges having beea 
guilty of the leaft fraud. 

But this honefly is not ftifficient for the profperity 
of the colonies. Though for forty years their con- 
fumption has increafed four times as much as their 
population, from whence it is apparent that the abili* 
ties of each fubjefl are four times what they were ; yet 
one may foretel, that thefe large eAablilhments will 
never ri(e to that degree of fplendour for which na« 
cure defigns them, unless the fetters are broken which 
confine boih their interior induftry and their foreiga 
trade. 

XIV. 

The British Colonies in Nokth Amekica ar$ \ 
Jbdckitd in their Indttftry and Commerce* 

m 

THE firfl colonifts that peopled North America 
applied themielves in the beginning folely to 
agriculture. It was not long before they perceived 
that their exports did not enable them to buy what 
they wanted ; and they, therefore, found themfelves 
in a manner compelled to fet up fome rude manufac^ 
tures. The interei^s of the mother country feemed 
hurt at this innovation. The circumOance was 
brought into parliament, and there difcuflcd with all 
the attention it deferved. There were men bold e- 
nough to defend the caufe of the colonics. Thejr 
urged, that as the bufmefs of tillage did not emploj^ 
^eo all the year rounds it was tyranny to oblige them 



311 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

to wafte in idleness the time which the land did not 
require : that as the pf oduce of agriculture and hunt« 
ing (lid itot fiirnifh them to the extent of their wants^ 
it was reducing them to mifery to hinder the people 
from providing ag^inft them bj a new fpecies of in- 
dufiry : in fliort, that the prohibition of manufaAu- 
res only tended to occafion the price of all provifions 
in a rifing O^ate to be enhanced ; to leflcn, or perhaps 
ftop, the fale of them, and keep ofiF fuch perfons as 
xnight intend to fettle there. 

The evidence of thefe principles was not to be con« 
troverted : they Were complied with after great de« 
bates. The Americans were permitted to manuf;ic<« 
ture their own cloths themfelves ; but with fuch re« 
firiAionsy as betrayed how much avarice regretted, 
what an appearance of juftice could not but allow. 
All communication from one province to another oa 
this account was fevcrely prohibited. They were for- 
bidden, under the heavieft penalties, to traffic from 
cne to the other for wool of any fort, raw or manu- 
faAured. However, (bme manufaAurers of hats 
Ventured to break through thefe rcftriAions. To put 
a f^op to what was termed a heinous diforderly prac- 
tice, the parliament had recourfe to that mean and 
cruel fpirit of regulations. A woikman was not em« 
powered to fet up for himfelf till after fcven years 
»pprentice(hip ; a maf^er was not allowed to have 
more than two apprentices at a time^ nor to employ 
any flave in his workfhop. 

Iron mines, which feem to put into men's hands 
the maiks of their own independencci were laid un- 
der reflriftions ftill more fevcre. It was not allowed 
to carry iron in t)ar9^ or rough lumps, any where hue 
to the mother country. Without crucibles to melt 
it^ or machines to bend it^ without hammers or anvils 



S&TTLBMENFS W itflSERIG-A. 31^ 

to httiiQn it, they bad:ftiU lefsthe Ubecty of converts 
ing it into fteeL 

importation received ftill further reftraiats. All 
foreign vcfleis, unkfs in evident •di(h*e(s or danger of 
'Wreck, or. freighted with gold or £lver» were not to 
come into any of the ports of North America. Even 
Bricifh vciTcls are not admitted there, unlefs they come 
immediately from fome port of that country. The 
(hipping of the colonies going to Europe, are to bring 
back no merchandize biu from the mother countiy^ 
except wine from the Madeiras and the Azotes, and 
fait neceiTary for their fiOieries. 

All exportatiods were originally to terminate in 
Britain : but weighty reafons have determined the 
government to relax and abate this extreme feverity. 
It is at prefent allowed to the coloniils to carry dire^-- 
ly fouth of Cape Finiderre, grain^ meal, rice, vegeta- 
bles, fruit, fait, fi(h, planks, and timber. All other 
produ^ions belong excluHvely to the mother country- 
Even Ireland, that furnifhed an advantageous vept 
for corn, flax, and pipe»ftaves, has been ihuc agaioft 
them by an ad of parliament of 1766* 

The parliament, which is the repre(entati?e of the 
nation, aiTumes the right of diredling comqnerce in its 
whole extent throughout the Britifh domiDions. It^is 
by that authority they pretend to regulate the connec- 
tions between the mother country and the colonies^ 
to maintain a communication, an advantageous recip- 
rocal re-a£lion, between the fcattered pajpts-of the im- 
menie empire. There fhould, in fa£t, be one power 
to appeal to, in order to determine finally upon the 
relations that may be uleful or prejudicial to the ge- 
neral good of the whole fociety. The parliament, 19 
the only body that can afiume fuch an imporfant pow- 
er. But they ought to employ it to the advantage of 
«very member of that confederated fociety, ThU^U-^vk^ 

Vol. II. 1L% '^^- 



314 HISTORT OF THE BRITISH 

inviolable maximy efpecUIIy in a ftate where all the 
powers are formed and JireAed for the prefervation 
of natural libertjr. 

They departed from that principle of impartialitji 
vrhich alone can maintain the equal ftate of indepen- 
dence among the feveral members of a free govern- 
xnent, when the colonies were obliged to vent in the 
mother country all their produflions, even thofe 
^hich were not for its own confumption i when they 
were obliged to take from the mother country all 
kinds of merchandife, even thofe which came from 
foreign nations. This imperious and ufelefs reftraint 
loading the Tales and purchafes of the Americans with 
unneceflary and ruinous chat*geS| has of courfe le0en« 
cd their aflivity, and confequently diminifhed their 
profits $ and it has been only for the purpofe of en- 
riching a few merchants, or fome fadVors at home, 
that the rights and interefts of the colonies have thus 
keen facrificed. -Ail they owed to Britain for the pro- 
icAion they received from her, was but a preference 
in the fale and importation of all fuch of their com- 
modities as fhe could confume; and a preference in 
the purchafc and in the exportation of all fuch mcr- 
ehimdife as came from her hands : So far all fubmiffi- 
on was a return of gratitude i beyond itj all obligation 
•was violence. 

It is thus that tyranny has given birth to contraband 
tmde. Tranfgreflion is the firft cfFcft produced by 
"unrcafonable Jaws, in vain has it fitqucntly been re- 
pratcd to the colonics, that fmuggling was contrary to 
tbc fundannntal intereft of their fcttlements, to all 
rcafon of government, and to the cxprcfs intentions 
f)f law. In vain has it been continually laid down in 
^ubhc writings, that the Aibje6) who pays duty is op- 
vrtffed by him ^ho does not pay it ; and that the 
9F/aAid|ilcn| mcrcliant t15\>^ \\it i^r trad(:jr by dif^fp- 

^int- 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 31J 

pointing hitn of his lawful profit. In vain hav6 pre« 
cautions been multiplied for preventing fuch frauds^ 
and freOi penalties iofliAed for the punifhment of 
them, rhe voice of intereft» reafoos and equity, has 
prevailed over all the clamours and attempts of 6n«> 
ance : foreign importations fmuggled into North A* 
mericai amount to one third of thofe which pa/ 
duty. 

An indefinite liberty, or merely a reftraint withia 
due bounds, will ftop the prohibited engagements of 
which fo much complaint, has been made* Then the 
colonies will arrive at a (late of affluence, which wilt 
enable them to difcharge a weight of debt due to thr 
zpother country, amounting, perhaps, to 6,562,500/. 
and to draw yearly from- thence goods to the amount 
of 4,725,000/ agreeable to the calculation of Ameri- 
can confumptioo ftated by the parliament of Great 
Britain in 1766. But indead of this pleafing profpeft 
which one would imagine muft of courfc arlfe from 
the conftitution of the Briti(h government, was there 
any neceffity, by a preten0on not to be fupported a-r. 
mong a free people, to introduce into the colonies^ 
with the hard(hips of taxation, the feeds of dilbrder 
and difcord, and perhaps to kindle a flame which it is' 
not fo eafy to extinguish as to light up? 



XV. Of 



4fi6 raSTORf Or THE BRmSH 



Of tbe Tncnloo of die Colmiief • 

J • Tbt m€iher^mmfry bms attempted f eftmMfi taxtt 
' in ibi eotonier of Nfth jfmeric^. Whether fk& bad a 
rigbt to do this T 

BRITAIN bad juft emerged from a war, as one 
may fay UDiverial, during which htr fleets had 
JIaoted the ftandard of viAory oTcr all the feas, and 
er conquefts had enlarged her doounion with an im- 
meofe territory in both the Indies. Such a (udden 
iocreafe give her in the eyes of all the world a fpicn- 
dour that muft raile envy and admiration r but within 
herfelf (he was continually reduced to grieve at her 
tlriuoipht. Cruihed with a load of debt to the amount 
of 145,687,500/. that coft her an intereft of 4v88i, 
515/. 3 J. 9^. a year, (he was with difficulty aMc to 
nipport the current expences of the ftate, with a re- 
venue of 10,500,000/. and that revenue, far from in* 
creafingi was not even fecure of continuance. 

llie land was charged with a higher tax than it had 
ever been in time of peace. New duties on houfes 
and windows undermined that fort of property ; and 
an increafe of (tock on a review of the finances de- 
prcfled the value of the whole. A terror had been 
ilruck even into luxury itfelf, by taxes heaped on 
plate, cards, dice, vvines, and brandy. No further 
expeftauon was to be had from commerce, which 
paid in every port, at every iflue for the merchandife 
oF Afia, for the produce of America, for fpices, filks, 
for every article of export or import, whether i^anu- 
fa^urcd or uuwrought. The prohibitions of heavy 
duM% had fonunaitl^ icftrained the abufcs of Ipirit- 

UQUS 



SPTTLEMENTS ttj ^MSWCA- 317 

BOttS liquors ; but that was partly at the expencc of 
the public reveAue. It was thought amends would 
be made by one of thofe expedients which it is gene- 
rally eafy to find, but hazardous to look out for, a« 
mong the obje£b of general con(umption and abfolute 
necemty. Duties were laid on the drink of the com- 
mon people, on malt, cyder, and beer. Every fpring 
was ftrained : every power of the body politic had 
been extended to its utmoft ftretch. Materiak ana ' 
workmanfhip had fo prodigiouily rifen in price, that 
foreigners, whether rivals or conquered, which be«« 
fore had not been aUe to fupport a conteft with the 
Briti(h, were enabled to fupplant them in every 
market, even in their own ports. The commercial 
advantages of Britain with every part of the world 
could not be valued at more than 2,450,000 A and 
that fituation obliged her to draw from the balance 
1,535,625/. to pay the arrears of ^i^iBj, ^ook 
which foreigners had placed in her public funds. 

The crifis was a violent one. It was time to give 
the people fome relief. They could not beeafed by 
a diminution of expences, thofe being inevitable, ei« 
ther for the purpofe of improving the conqueds pur- 
chafed by fuch a lofs of blood and treafure ; or to 
mitigate the feelings of the Houfe of Bourbon, foured 
by the humiliations of the late war, and the f^crifices 
of the late peace. In default of other means, :<> 
manage with a ftcady hand as well the prefent fccarky 
as future profperity, the expedient occurred of cal(-» 
ing in the colonies to the aid of the mother counct y^ 
by making them bear a part of her burden. This 
determination feemed to be founded on realons noK 
to be controverted. 

It is a duty impoied by the avowed tnaxi ms of Ml 
focietics and of every age, on the different members 
which compolc a ftatej to contribute towards aM cx* 



jit HISTORY bT THE BRITISH 

]^cnces in proportioo to their rcfpcAive abSitids. Kti^ 
lecurity of the American provinces requires fuch t 
iharc of afli.lance from them, as may enable the mo- 
ther country to protefl them upon all occafions. It 
%iras to deliver them from the uncafinefs that molefted 
them, that Britain had engaged in a war which hai 
multiplied her debts : they ought then to aid her ill 
bearing or leflening the weight of that overcharge* 
At pre(ent, when they are freed of all appreheolion 
from the attempts of a formidable adverfary, which 
they have fortunately removed, can they without in- 
5u(lice refufe their deliverer, when her neceffities are 
prefling, that money which purchafed thtir prefcrva* 
tion ? Has not that generous proteAor, for a confi- 
<lerable time, granted encouragement to the improve* 
xnent of iheir rich produAions ? Has fhe not laviihed 
gratuitous advances of money, and does fhe not fWU 
lavifh them on lands not yet cleared ? Do not fuch 
benefits defcrve to meet a return of relief and even of 
fervices ? 

buch were the motives that perfnaded the Britifh 
government that they had a right to eAablifli taxation 
in the colonies. They availed themfelves of the event 
of the late war, to aflert this claim fo dangerous to 
liberty. For if we attend to it, ue (hall hnd, that 
var, whether fuccefsul or not, fervcs always as a pre- 
itxc for every ufurpation of government ; as if the 
heads of warring nations rather intended to reduce 
ihcir fubje^s to more confirmed fubmiflion, than to 
make a conqueft of their enemies. 1 he A merican 
piovintes were accordingly orJercd to fumilh the 
11 oops fent by the mother country for their fccurity 
>vith a part of the nccciTarics required by an army. 
The apprehenfion of didurbing that agreement which 
is fo ncccd'aiy among ourfelvcs, when furrounded by 
^Jvcriiiries wkhovxtj iuduced ihcm to comply with 

the 



Ae hijiindioiis orf the parliament ; but with fhdi pni« 
cknce as not to fpeak of an zSl they eould neidier rt^ 
jeA without occafioning civil diflention, nor recog« 
nlfe witbotEt expofing rights too precious to be for-4 
feited. New- York alone ventured to dtfapprove the 
orders fent from Europe. Tho* the tranfgreffion was 
flight, it was punifhed as a difobedience bf a fufpen^ 
fion of her privileges. 

It was moft probable, that this attack made on th^ 
liberty of the colony would excite the remonftrance 
of all the reft. Either thro' want of attention or fore* 
fight, none of them complained. This filence was 
Interpreted to proceed from fear, or from voluntary 
iHibmiifion. Peace, that flM>uId leflen taxes every 
where, gave birth in the year 1764 to that famous 
ilamp-a£l, which, by laying a duty on all marked 
paper, 'at the fame time forbade the ufe bf any othei^ 
in public writings, whether judicial, or extrajudicial. 

AH the Britifh colonies of the new continent re« 
volted againft this innovation, and their difcontent 
manifefted h(elf by fignal adts. They entered into an 
agreement or confpiracy, the only one that fuited 
moderate and civilized people, to forego all manufac- 
tures made up in the mother country, till the bill they 
complained of was repealed. The women, whofe^ 
weaknefs was moft to be feared, was the firft to give 
up whatever hurope had before furniftied them with 
either for parade or convcnierice. Animated by their 
example, the men rejcdled the commodities for which 
they were indebted to the old world. In the north- 
ern countries, rhey were found paying as much for 
the coarfe ftuds made under their own infpe^ion, as 
for fine cloths which were brought over the feaf» 
They engaged not to eat lamb, that their flocks might 
increafe, and in time be fufficient for the clothing of 
all the colaoiAs. -In the fouthern pi*ovioces^ where 



fio BISTORT OF THE BRITISH 

wool it fcarce, and of an inferior quality, they were 
to drcft themfelves with cptton and flax fumifibed by 
their own climate. Agriculture was erery where oe* 
glcAed, io order, that the people misht qualify thecn- 
felves for the induftry of the wbrkinop. 

This kipd of indired and paffive oppofitiooi which 
defcrves to be imitated by all nations who may hero- 
after be aggrieved by the undue ezercife of authority, 
produced the defir'd effedl. The Englilh manu&^rers 
who had (carce any other vent for their goods than 
their own colonics, fell into that ftate of defpondency 
which is the natural confequence of want of employ* 
plovment : and their complaints, which could neither 
be Rifled nor concealed by adminiftration, made an 
im predion which proved favourable to the colonies. 
The ftamp-a£k was repealed, after a violent ftruggle 
that lafled two years, and which in an age of fanaticifm 
would doubtlefs have occafioned a civil war. 

Uut the triumph of the colonics did not laft Iong« 
The parliament had given up the point with the great- 
eft relu6laace : and it clearly appeared they had not 
laid adde their pretenfions, when in 1767 they threw 
the duties which the ftamp-aft would have produced, 
upon all glafs, lead, tea, colours, padeboard, and (lain* 
ed paper, exported from England to Acnerica. Even 
.the patriots chemfelves, who feemed moft inclined to 
enlarge the authority of the mother country over the 
colonies, could not help condemning a tax, which in 
its confequences cnuft affe^ the whpTe nation, by diJT- 
. pofing numbers ro apply themfelves to manufa£lurcs> 
who ought to have been folely devoted to the improve- 
ment of lands. The colonifts have not been the dupes 
of this, any more than of the firft innovattOD. It has 
in vain been urged, that government had the power 
to impofe what dutierit thought proper t>pon import^ 
cd gpoJsj fo. loDg as it did not deprive the colonies of 

the 



SifTLEMENTS I» AMERICA- j» 

tHr liberty of manufajhiring the articles Aibjeft to 
this new tax* This fubterAige has been confidered as 
a derifion, in refpe^t to a pe'ople who, being devoted, 
entirely to'agriculture, and confined to trade only with 
the mother country, could not procure either by theiv 
own labour, or by their connexions abroad, the oe- 
ccfTary articles that were fold them at Co high a price* 
They thought, when a tax was to be impoi'ed, it was 
nothing more thap a nominal diftindlion, whether it 
were levied in Europe, or America i and that their 
liberty was .equally infringed by a duty laid upon com- 
modities they really wanted, as by a tax upon (lamp- 
ed paper, which they had been made to confider as a 
ncccffary article* Thefe intelligent people faw that go- 
verment was inclined to deceive them, and thought It 
an indignity to fuffer themfelves to be the dupes either 
of force or fraud. It appeared to them the furefl mark 
of weaknefs and degeneracy in the fuisjeds of any Da« 
don, to wink at all the artfnl and violent raaeafurer 
axiopted by rovernment to corrupt and enflave them. 

The diflike they have (hewn to the(e new impofts, 
was not founded on the idea of their being enorbitanf 
as they did not amount to more than about i s: 3 A 
for each perfon : which could give no alarm to a ver^ 
populous conmitinicy, whofe public expence never ex^ 
eeeded the aimual fum of i57,50o7« 

It was not from any apprehenfion that the eafb of 
tfaerr circumftances would be aflFedled : fince the fecVi- 
rity they derived from the provinces ceded by France 
in the laft war ; the increa(e of their trade with thefa« 
vages ; the enlargement of their whale and eod»fi(h« 
eries, together with tho(e of the (hark and the feal ^ 
the right of cutting wood in the bay of Campeackys' 
the acquifition of feveral fugar-iflands ; the opportu* 
pities of carrying on t contraband trade wkh the peigh^ 
bouring SpaQi(hL fettlcments : all tbcfc circumlUnces 



]a2 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

of adTtntage were abundantly fufEcient to compenfate 
the fmaU proportion of revenue which governmeat 
leemed fo anxious to raiie. 

It was not their concern left the colonies (hould be 
drained of the fmaU quamitjr of fpecic which continu-. 
ed in circulation. The pay of eight thoufand four 
hnndred regular troops, maintained by the mother 
country in North America, muft bring much more 
coin into the country than the tax could carry out 
of it. ' 

It was not an indifference towards the mother coun» 
cry. The colonies far from being ungrateful, have, 
demonftrated fo zealous an attachment to her interefts 
during the laft war, that parliament had the equity to 
order conliderable Aims to be remitted to them by way. 
of reftitution or indemnification. 

Nor, laftly, was it ignorance of the obligations that 
iubjeds owe to government. Had not even the colo^* 
aies acknowledged themfelves bound to contribute to^ 
wards the payment of the national debt, though they 
had, perhaps, been the occafion of contracting the 
greateft part of it ; they knew very well, that they 
were liable to. contribute towards the expences of the 
navy, the maintenance of the African and American 
lettlements> and to all the common expenditures re- 
lative to their own prefervation and prorperity^ as well 
i» to that of the capital. 

.If the Americans refufe to lend their afliftance to Eu- 
rope, it is bccaufe what need only hTve been aiked was 
cxajled from them ; and becauie what was required of 
them as a matter of obedience, ought to have been raifed 
by voluntary contribution. Their refufal was aoc the 
cffeA of caprice ; but of jcaloufy oftheir rights, which 
have been confirmed in fome judicious writings, and 
more particularly in fomc eloquont letters^ from which 

wc 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 323 

we (hall borrow the principal fad^ we are gobg to 
ftate on a fubjeA which muft be ioterefting to everj 
nation on the globe. 

During almod two centuries that have pafled finoe 
the Englifh e(liibli(hed tbemfelves in North America, 
their country has been harrafied bj ezpenfive and 
bloody wars; thrown into confufion by enterprifing 
and turbulent parliaments ; and go?erned by a bold 
and corrupt mjniftry, every ready to raife the power 
of the crown upon the ruin of all the privileges and 
rights of the people. But notwithftanding the influ« 
ence of ambition, avaricCy faAion, and tyranny, the 
liberty of the colonies to raife their own faxes for the 
fupport of the public revenue hath on all hands beea 
acknowledged and regarded. *. 

This privilege, fo natural and comfbnant to the fun^ 
damental principles of ail rational fociety, wasconfirm- 
cd by a folemn compaft. The colonies might appeal 
to their original charterSi which authorife them to 
tax themfelves freely and voluntarily. ThefeaAs were 
in truth, nothing more than agreements made wiih 
the crown ; but even fuppofing that the prince had 
exceeded his authority by making conceffions which 
certainly did not turn to his advantage, long pofleffion 
tacitly owned and acknowledged by the filence of par* 
liament, mud conftiture a legal prefcription. 

The American provinces have fiill more authentic 
claims to urge in their favour. They ailert that a 
a fubje£l of England, in whatever hcmifphere he re- 
iides, is not obliged to contribute to the expenccs.of 
the date without his own confent, given either by him- 
felf or his reprefentatives. It is in the defence of this^ 
facred right that the. nation has fo often fpilt her blood 
dethroned her kings, and either excited or oppofed 
numberlefs commotions. Will fhe chufe to diipure 
with two miiUousof her children^ an advantage whlcix 



g»4 BISTORT OP THE BMTISH • 

« 

hat coft her fotlctr,. and. is i perhaps ihe fok fouDdai*- 
ttf her own indepeodence? 

Jt is urged againil the colonies^ that the Roman 
*cath6iics refidiog in England are excluded from the 
.right of voting, and that their cftates are fubjcAed to 
.« double tasE. rhecolooifta a& in rq>ly, why the pa- 
giifts refufe to take the oaths of allegiance required bf 
the ftate ? Thiscondudl makes them fufpeAed by go- 
-^emment, and the jealoufy it excites authorifes that 
government to treat them with rigour* Why not ab- 
jure a religion fo contrary to the free conilitution of 
their country, fo favourable to the inhuman claims of 
defpotifm, and to the attempts of the crown againft 
the sights of the people? Why that blind prepofleffi- 
on in favour of a church which is an enemy to all o- 
thers? They deferve the penalties which the ftatc 
that tolerates them impofes upon AibjeAs of intoleraot 
principles. But the inhabitants of the new world 
would be puoiflied without having oflended, if they 
were not able to become fubje^ts without ceafing to be 
Americans. 

Thefe faithful colonies have likewifebeen told with 
fome confidence^ that there are multitudes of fubje&s 
an Britain who are not repre Tented ; becaufe they bave 
not the property required to entitle them to vote at an 
eleflion for members of parliament: What ground 
have tkey to cxpedt any greater privileges than thofe 
enjoyed by the fubjefts of the mother country ? The 
colonies, in anfwer to this, deny that they wi(h for 
fuperior indulgences ; they only want to (hare them in 
common with their brethren. In Great Britain, a 
perfon who enjoys a free hold, of forty (hillings a- 
year is confuhcd in the framing of a tax- bill, and (hall 
not the man who poflcfles an immenfe tra£t of land 
in America have the fame privilege I No: That which ' 
h an excepiioii to "iSx^^ ^ dc^iaiion from tbe .general 

rule 



SfiiTLEMENTS IST AMERICA. 3^; 

rule of th^ mother country, > ought nbt to become a 
fundamental point of conOfittition fdr the colonies. 
Let the Englifh, who vi^ifti to deprive the provinces in 
America of the right of taxing themfelves, foppofe 
fbr a moment, that the houfe of commons, inftead of 
being thofen by them, is an hereditary and eftablUhed 
tribunal^ or even arbitrarily appointed by the crown; 
if this body could levy taxes upon the Whole nation 
without confulting the public opinion and the general 
inclinations of the people, would not the Englilh look 
Upon themfelves to be as much ilaves as any other na« 
t4on I However, even in this cafe, five hundred men^ 
furrounded by feven millions of their fellow- fubjeAs, 
might be kept within the bounds of moderation, if 
Hot by a principle of equity, at lead by a well-ground* 
ed apprehenfion of the public refentment, which pur« 
fues the oppreiibrs of their country even beyond the 
grave. But the cafe of Americans taxed by the great 
council of the mother country would be irremediable. 
At too great a diftance to be heard, they would be 
opprefied with taxes without regard to their complaint. 
Even the tyranny exercifed towards them would be 
varniflied over with the glorious appalation of patri- 
btifm. Under pretence of relieving the mother 
country, the colonics would be overburdened with im« 
punity. 

J,.' Whether the cohniesjbouldfuhmif to be taxed* 

With this alarming profpeA before them, they 
will never fubmit to give up the right of taxing them- 
felves. So long as they debate freely on the fubjeft 
of public revenue, their interefts will be attended to ; 
or if their rights fhould fometimes be violated, they 
will foon obtain a rcdreft of their grievances. But 
their remonftrances will no longer have a.<cv^ nh^^^js^ 

VoL.lL Yi Nfi\^ 



126 



HISTORY OF THE BRmi 



with government, wIicd they are not i 
the right of granting or refuting monej 
exigccicci of the ftatc. The fame po«< 
have ufurped the right of levying taze 
ufurp the dillribution of them. Ai it < 
proportion they fhall raife, it will Hkcwif 
that fhalt be bid out ; antl the fums aj 
ligned for their fcrvtce, will be employ 
ibem. Such has been the progreflion .< 
all ages. No fociety ever prcferved its 
it had loft the privihge of voting in the 
or ellabliihmem of laws relative to the 
nation muft for ever be enflavcd, in whi 
bly or body of men remaini who have i 
defend its rights againft the encroachi 
ftatc by which it is governed. 

The provinces in Britifh America have 

imaginable to dread the loft of their ii 

Even their confidence may betray thci 

fhcm fall a prey to the deHgns of the mo 

They arc inhabited by an infinite numl 

and upriglit people, who have no rur)}id< 

who hold the reins of empire can be hui 

unjuft and tyrannical paffions. They 

granted that their country cheriQies the 

of maternal tcndcrnefs which are fo con 

true mrerefls, and to the love and vene 

they entertain for her. To the unfufpee 

of ihcfe honcft fubjefls, who chcrifli ( 

Jclufion, may be added the acquitfccncc 

ihink It not worth while to trouble tb 

account of inconfiderable taxes. Thefe i 

pic do not perceive ihat the plan was, a 

xheir vigtUnce aflcep by impofmg a mc 

ru fi^'**'" '^"'y ""HKd «•> eftablifl, a 

^bmiiiion, upon- w\v\t\i\'LiB.\s,U^iouc 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 327 

tcnfions ; that if the parliament has been able to raife 
one guinea^ it can raife ten thoufand ; and that ther^ 
will be no more reafon to limit this right, than there 
would be juftice in acknowledging it at prefent. But 
the greateO: injury to liberty arlfes from a fet of am* 
bitious men, who, purfuing an intereft diftindl froax 
that of the public and of pofterityj are wholly bene 
on increafing their credit, their rank, and their e« 
ftates. The Britiih miniftry, from whom they have 
procured employments, or expeft Jto receive them^ 
iinds them always ready to favour their odious pro* 
je^y by the contagion of their luxury and their vices, 
by their artful infinuations and the flexibility of their 
conduct. 

Let all true patriots then firmly oppofe the fnaret 
of prejudice, indolence, and feduAion ; nor let thetn 
defpair of being viftorious in a conteft in. which their 
virtue has engaged them. Attempts will, perhaps^ 
be made to (hake their fidelity, by the plaufible pro* 
pofal of allowing their reprefentatives a feat in parlia* 
ment, in order to regulate, in conjunAion with thofe 
of the mother country, the taxes to be raifed by the 
nation at large. Such, indeed, is the extent, popu- 
loufnefs, wealth, and importance, of the colonies, 
that the legiilature. cannot govern them with wifdoni 
and fafety without availing itfelf of the advice and 
information of their reprefentativcs* But care fhould 
be taken not to authorife thefe deputies to decide in 
matters concerning the fortune and the contributions 
of their condltuents. The expoftulations of a few 
men would be eafily overborne by the numerous re* 
prefentativcs of the mother country ; and the pro* 
ffVices, whofe indruments they would be, would, in 
this confufed jumble of intereds and opinions, be la- 
den with too heavy and too unequal a part of the 
common burden. Let, then^ the right of appointing. 



3aS HISTORY. OF THE BRITISH 

proportioning, and rsufing ibt taxes, continue to be 
cxcluiivclir vefted in the provincial aflemblies *, who 
ought to be fhc more jealws of it at the prefenc junc^ 
ture, as the power of depriving them 6f it icextis to 
have gained itcength by the conquefts made in the 
hid war. 

From its late acquificions, the mother country has 
derived the advantage of extending her fiiherie^, and 
ikrcngthening her alliance with the iavagies. Jiut as 
if this fucceb paAed for nothing in .her tdirnation, 
file perfiils in declaring, that this increafe of. terri- 
tory has anfwered no end, and produced no .efie^);, 
but to fccure the tranquillity of the colonies. The 
colonies, on the contrary, maintain, that their lands, 
on which their whole welfare depended, have de- 
creaied confiderably in their value by this immenfe 
extent of territory ; that, their population being dir 
miniflied, or at dead not iocreafed, their coumry is 
the more expoied to invafions ; and that the mod 
northern provinces are rivalled by Canada, and the 
moft fouthern by Florida. The cplonifts, who judge 
of future events by the hiftory of the paft, even go 
fo far as to fay, that the military government eflab- 
lifhed in the conquered provinces, the numerous 
troops maintained, and the forts ere£^ed there, may 
one day contribute to enflave countries which have 
hitherto flourifhed only upon the principles of liberty. 

Great Britain pofTefTes all the authority over her 
colonies that fhe ought to wiih for* She has a right 
to difannul any laws they (hall make. The executive 
power is entirely lodged in the hands of her delegates ; 
and in all determinations of a civil nature, an appeal 
lies to her tribunal. She regulates at difcretion all 
commercial connexions, which are allowed to be 
formed and purfued by the colonics. To drain an 
authority (b wifely umgered, would be to plunge a 

rilSng 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 32jr 

rifiag continent afrefti into that ftate of tonfufioo 
from which it had with di/Bculty emerged in the 
courfe of two centuries of inceflant labour; and to 
reduce the men, who had laboured to clear the 
ground, to the neceffity of taking up arms in the de- 
fence of thofe facred rights to which they are equally 
entitled by nature and the laws of fociety. Shail the 
Britifh, who are fo paffionately fond of liberty, that 
they have fometimes protefted it in regions widely 
remote in climate and intered:, forget thofe fentimentt 
which their glory, their virtue, their natural feelings^ 
and their fecurity, conffMre to render a perpetual ob^ 
ligation ? Shall they fo far betray the rights they hold 
fo dear, as to wi(h to enflavc their brethren and theic 
children ? If, however, it fhould happen, that the 
fpirit' of fadlion fhould devife fo fatal a defign, and 
ihould, in an hour of madneis and intoxication, get 
it patronized by the mother country, what fteps 
ought the colonies to take to fave themfelves fron» 
the ftate of the mod odious dependence i 

3. Now far the Colonies ought to carry their oppojitiom 

to taxation* 

Before they turn their eye» 00 this political com-* 
buftion, they will recall to memory all the advantages 
they owe to their country* Britain has always been 
their barrier againl^ the powerful nations of Europe ^ 
and fer.ved bs a guide and moderator to watch over 
their prefervation and to heal thofe civil diilentions 
which jealoufy and rival (hip too frequently excite be- 
tween neighbouring plantations in their rifing ftate. It 
is to the influence of its excellent conftiiution that ihitj 
owe the peace and profperity they enjoy. While the 
colonies live under fo falutary and mild an adminidra- 
tion. they will continue to make a rapid proftrefs in 

Ff3 



S3e HISTORT OP THE BRITISH 

the vaft field of improvement that opens itfelf to their 
^ieW| and which their induftry wiU extend to the re- 
motefts deferts. 

Let the love of their counrrj , however, be accom- 

Enied with a certain jealoiify of thrir liberties ; anc) 
: their rights be conftantly examined into, cleared 
tipi and difcufled. Let them never fail to consider 
thofe as the beft citizens, who are perpetually calling 
their attention to thofe points. This fpirit of jealoufy 
is proper in all free ftates ; but it is particularly necef- 
fary in complicated governments, where liberty is 
blended with a certain degree of dependence, fuch as 
is required in a connexion between countries feparat* 
cd by an immenfe ocean. This vigilance will be the 
lured guardian of the union which ought flrongly to 
cement the mother country and her colonies. 

If the minidry, which is always compofed of ambi- 
tious men, even in a free ftate, ihould attempt to in* 
creafethe power of the crown, or the opulence of the 
mother country, at the «xpence of the colonies, the 
colonies ought to refid fuch an ufurping puwei* with 
tjnrcmitted fpirit. When any mcafurc of government 
xneets with a warm oppofition^ it ield'om fails to be 
jcftificdx while grievances, which are fuffercd for 
want of courage to redrcfs them, arc conftantly fuc- 
cccdcd by frefh inflances of opprcfTion. Nations, in 
general, are more apt to feel than to ref!eft ; and have 
no other ideas of the legality of a power than the ve- 
ry cxcrcife of that power. Accufiomed to obey with- 
out examination, they in general become familiarized 
to the hardfliips of government 5 and being ignorant 
of the orgin and defign of focicty, do not conceive 
the idea of fetting bounds to authority. In thofe ftaits 
tfpecially, where the principles of legiflation are con- 
founded with thofe of religion, as one extravagant 
CPiDiOB^ open) thedoor for the reception of a thoufand 

among 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. 331 

among thofe who have been once deceived» fo the firft 
encroachments of government pave the way for all the 
reft. He who believes the moft believes the leaft s 
and he who can perform the moft, perforips the leaft: 
and to this double miftake, in regard either to belief 
or power, it is owing that all the abfurdities and ill 
practices in religion and politics have been introduced 
into the world, in order to opprefs the human fpecies. 
The fpirit of toleration and of liberty which has hith- 
erto prevailed in the Britifh colonies, has happily pre^ 
ferved them from falling into this extreme of folly and 
mifery. They have too high a feofe of the dignity of 
human nature not torefift oppreftion, though at the 
hazard of their lives. 

A people fo intelligent do not want to be told, that 
defperate refolutions and violent meafures cannot be 
juftifiable till they have in vain tried every poflible 
method of reconciliation. But, at the fame time» they 
know, that, if they are reduced to the neceffity of 
chufing ilavery or war, and taking arms in defence of 
their liberty, they ought not to tarniifa (o glorious a 
caufe with all the horrors and cruelties attendant on 
fedition ; and though rtfolved not to flic.athe the 
I'word till they have recovered their rights, that they 
-fhould make no other ufe of their viAory than to pro- 
cure the re-ellablifha)cnt of their original ftate of le- 
gal independence. 

Let us, however, take care not to confound the re«> 
fifVance which the Britifh colonies ought to make to 
their mother country, with the fury of a people ex- 
cited to revolt againft their fovereign by a long feries 
of cxctffive eppreflion. When the Haves of an arbi^- 
trary monarch have once broken their chain, and fub-^ 
initted their fate to the decifiou of the fword, they are 
obliged to mailacre the tyrant, to exterminate his 
whole race, and to change, the form of that govern- 



331 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

ment under which they have fufiered for manj ages;> 
If they venture not thus far, thej will fooner or later 
be punifhed for having been courageous only by halves. 
The blow will be retorted upon them with greater 
force than ever; and the affected clemency of their 
tyrants will only prove a new fnare, in which they 
will be caught and entangled without hope of deliver- 
ance. It is the misfortune of fadlions in an abfolute 
government, that neither prince nor people fet any 
bounds CO their rcfentment ; becaufe they know none 
in the exercife of their power. But a conftitutioa 
qualified like that of the Britifh colonies, carries in its 
principles and the limitation of its power a remedy 
and prefcrvative againft the evils of anarchy. When 
Che mother country has removed their complaints by 
reinflating them in their former fituation, they 
ought to proceed no further ; becaufe fuch a fituati- 
on is the happieft that a wife people have a right to 
afpire to. 

4 JVhether it 'would be of ufe to the Colonies to break 
through the ties which unite them ta the mother 

country. 

They could not embrace a plan of abfolute inde- 
pcndcnce, without breaking thro' the ties of religion, 
oaths, laws, language, relation, interell, trade, and 
habit, which unite them together under the mild au- 
thority of the mother country. Is it to be imagined 
that iuch avuiiion would not affect the heart, the vit- 
als, and even the life of the colonies ? If they fhould 
Aop Ihort of the violence of civil wars, would they 
e ifily be brought to agree upon a new form of gvero- 
nicnt ! If each fectlement compofed a diftindk (late, 
what divifions would enfue! We may judge cxf the a- 
fiimofities that would arlic from their feparation by 

the 



SETTLEMENTS IN AMERICA. )3| 

the fate of all communities which nature has m^de ta 
border on each other. But, could it be fuppoied chat 
(o many fettlements, where a diveriity of laws, differ* 
ont iicgrees of opulence, and variety of poileffiont^ 
would fow the lattent feeds of an oppofition of inter* 
eds, were defirous.of forming a confedracy; hoff 
would- .they adjuQ the rank which each would afpiro 
to hold, and the influence it ought to have, in pro* 
portion to the rilk it incurred, and the forces it fup« 
plied ? Would not the fame fpirlt of jealoufy, and a 
Qboufand other paflions, which in a fhort time divide 
ed the wife dates of Greece, raife difcord between a. 
multitude of colonies afTociated rather by the tranfi- 
ent and brittle ties of pailion and refentmenr, than by 
the fober principles of a natural and lading combina- 
tion ? Ail theie conflderations feem to demonltrate^ 
that an eternal leperatLon from the mother country 
would prove a very great misfortune to the 0riici(h co^ 
ionics. 

5. iVhetber it woMld be proper for the European nations 
to endeavour to render the Britijh colonies independm 
cut of the mother country, 

. We will go one ftep further and affirm that, were 
it in the power of the European nations who havo 
poileffions in the new world to effeA this great revo- 
lution, it is not their intered to wifh it. This will, 
perhaps, be thought a paradox by thofe powers who 
ice their colonies perpetually threatened with an inva* 
iion from their neighbours. They, doubtlcfs^ ima« 
gine, that if the power of the Britilh in America were 
leflfened, they ihould peaceably enjoy their acquifiti-P 
ens, which frequently excite their envy, and invict 
them to hoflilities. It cannot be denied, that their in- 
fluence in thcfe diHant regions arifes from the extenf 



S34 HISTORY OF THE BRITISH 

or populoufnefs of their nothern provinces ; which 
* tnable them always to attack with advantage the iflands 
and continental pofTeilions of other nations, to con- 
>w qucr their territories, or ruin their trade. But, after 

•^ . all, this crown has intereds in other parts of the globe 
« which may counteract their progrefs in America, re- 

! flrain or retard cheir enterptizes, and fruflrate their 

conquers by the reftittitions they will be obliged to 
make. 

■ When the ties Aibfifting between old and new 
! Britain are once broken, the northern colonies will 

have more power when fingle, than when united with 
I the mother country. This great condnent, freed 

{ with all connections with Europe, will have the full 

j command of all its motions. It will then become an 

f important as well as an eafy undertaking to them, to 

I invade thofe territories whofe riches will make a- 

I mends for the fcantinefs of their productions. J5y 

the independent nature of its fituation, it will be en-- 
abled to get every thing in readinefs for an invaficn, 
before any account arrives in Europe. This nation 
will carry on their military operations with the Ipirit 
peculitir to new focieties. They may make choice of 
their enemies, and conquer where and when they 
pleafe. Their attacks will always be made upon fuch 
coaih as are liable to be taken by furprife, and upon 
thofe Teas that are lea(t guarded by foreign powers ; 
who will find the countries they wiihed to defend 
conquered before any fuccours can arrive. It will be 
impoflible to recover them by treaty, without making 
great conceflions*, or, when recovered for a time, to 
prevent their falling again under the fame yoke. The 
colonies belonging to our abfolute monarchies, will, 
perhaps, be inclined to meet a mafter with open arms, 
who cannot propofe harder terms than their own 
government impo&s; or^ after the example of the 
•: ^ Bricilh 



f 

r 



SETTLEMENTS- IN . AMERICA. 335 

^riti/k colonies, will breal^ the chain that rivets them 
£6 ignocniniouily to Europe. 

Let no motive by any means prevail upon the na* 
tions who are rivals to Britain^ either by infinuationsy 
or by clandeftine helps, to haden a revolution, which 
would only deliver them from a neighbouring enemy^ 
by. giving . them a much more formidable one at a 

• diAance. Why accelerate an event which muft one 
day naturally take place from the unavoidable con* 
- currence of fo many others ? For it would be contrary 
to the nature of things, if the province, fubjefl to a 
prefiding nation, ifl^ould continue ynder its dominioi^ 
when equal to it in riches and the number of inhabi* 
tants. Or, indeed, who can tell whether this difunion 
may not happen fooner ? Is it not likely, that the 
diflrufl and hatred which have of late taken place of 
that regard and attachment which the provinces for«< 
merly felt for the parent country, may bring on a 
reparation ? 'JT^us every thing confpires to produce 

. this great difruptfon, the aera of which it is impoffible 
to know Every thing tends to this point ; the pro- 
grefs of good in th^iie\|;r h^fnifphefe, and the progrefs 
of evil in the old. 

Alas ! the fudden and rapid decline in our manners 
and our powers, the crimes of princes, and the fuf- 
ferings of the people, will make this fatal catadrophe, 
which is to divide one part of the globe from the 
other, univcrfal. The foundations of our tottering 
empires are Tapped ; materials are hourly coHedting 
and preparing for their deftruftion, compofed of the 
ruins of our laws, the ferment of contending opini* 
ons, and the fubverfion of our rights which were the 
foundation of our courage ; the luxury of our courts, 
and the miferies of the country; the lafling animofity 
between indolent men who engrofs all the wealthy, 
and vigorous and even virtuous men who have noth^ 



0« THE HISTOSr 0|f AM1RK;A. 

ifeig to Ibfe bur their lives. In proportion as our peo*' 
pie are weakened and rcfign themfelves to each other^r 
dominioni population and agriculture .will flouriih in 
America : the arts^ tranfplanted by our means, will 
snake a rapid progrefs s and that country, rifing out^ 
of nothings will be fired with the ambition of appear^ 
ibg with glbry« in its turn^, o^4he face of the globe, 
and in the hiflbry of the #orld. O poClei ity I ye, 
peradventure, Wiir be more happy than your uiifbr^ 
Cunate and contemptible anceftors. Mny this lafl wifli- 
be accompUfhed, and confolethe prefent expiring race' 
with the hopes that a better will focceeditj 



T 1 N I S. 




i ■ I 



*■*■ m 
.1 

V* 



-yr 



\^ 



...•I,. 






:.* 



• -.I 



k 




\'